Acorn woodpeckers

I have a response to my dirty blue egg question! (Stellar Jay)

Acorn Woodpeckers came back two days ago and this time there were two! No. I don't believe the pair to be Hairy or Red Breasted Sapsuckers. The Acorn Woodpecker's markings *have perplexed me b/c they are unusually marked to the rear of their heads. I have decided upon Acorn due to its primary back color of black and top red head spot that does not cover its entire head. They have black backs with red on the very top of their heads. The perplexing marking was a small white vertical line dash on the rear of their head combined with the white ring around its beak that does not extend to the rear of his black neck. No other white markings on the back leads me to exclude Downy, Red Breasted Sapsucker and a Hairy.



If my Petersons Guide would identify juveniles....and inter breeds that would be great! Acorn was the best visual match. I have seen Red Breasted Sapsuckers here. I have also seen a juvenile Downy Woodpecker here. Hairy Woodpeckers? No. b/c, they did not have white stripe on the back. IDK strangest pair of Acorn woodpeckers I've tried to id b/c of white dash in the lower part of back of their heads! B/c of that marking I am wondering if they were juvs or if this pair have been cross bred with another type of woodpecker to produce the different white dash mark. Variations in plumage - I'd love a guide with juv photos.

There is an oak stand less than a mile from where I live and a larger more established well known oak stand within 2 miles. I have found old stashed acorns in the soil at the tree line and fenceline and under evergreens. Squirrels? Do you think Acorn Woodpeckers steal from squirrels and vice versa?http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

"Field studies have shown that breeding groups range from monogamous pairs to breeding collectives of seven males and three females, plus up to 10 nonbreeding helpers. Young have been found with multiple paternity.[1]"

There are Red-naped or Red-breasted Sapsuckers heard in the area, but I have not seen them. These two Acorn woodpeckers were seen at 15 to 25 feet distance, pecking in evergreen about 15 to 18 feet up the tree. Evidently, there are only a dozen sightings in Western Washington of Acorn Woodpeckers.

I'll have to listen for them in the future.