You'd Never Guess What an Acorn Woodpecker Eats | Deep Look

OK. Maybe you would. But the lengths they have to go to to stock up for the winter will surprise you. When you see how carefully they arrange each acorn, you might just need to reorganize your pantry.
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Have you ever wondered why woodpeckers pound so incessantly?
In the case of acorn woodpeckers - gregarious black and red birds in California’s oak forests - they’re building an intricate pantry, a massive, well-organized stockpile of thousands of acorns to carry them through the winter.
“They’re the only animals that I know of that store their acorns individually in holes in trees,” said biologist Walter Koenig, of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, who has studied acorn woodpeckers for decades at the University of California’s Hastings Natural History Reservation in Carmel Valley.
Over generations, acorn woodpeckers can drill thousands of small holes into one or several trees close to each other, giving these so-called granaries the appearance of Swiss cheese.
This sets them apart from other birds that drop acorns into already-existing cavities in trees, and animals like squirrels and jays that bury acorns in the ground.
In spring and summer, hikers in California commonly see acorn woodpeckers while the birds feed their chicks and care for their granaries. They don’t mind people staring at them and they’re easy to find. They greet each other with loud cries that sound like “waka-waka-waka.”
They’re also found in Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and all the way south to Colombia.
These avian performers are constantly tapping, drilling and pounding at their granaries.
“They’ll usually have a central granary, maybe two trees that a group is using,” said Koenig. “Those trees are going to be close together.”
Acorn woodpeckers make their granaries in pines, oaks, sycamores, redwoods and even in the palm trees on the Stanford University campus.
Their holes rarely hurt the trees. The birds only bore into the bark, where there’s no sap, or they make their granaries in snags.
“They don’t want sap in the hole because it will cause the acorn to rot,” said Koenig. “The point of storing the acorns is that it protects them from other animals getting them and it allows them to dry out.”
--- What is an acorn?
It’s the fruit of the oak.
--- Do acorn woodpeckers only eat acorns?
In the spring, acorn woodpeckers have their choice of food. They catch insects, eat oak flowers and suck the sap out of shallow holes on trees like coast live oaks.
---+ Read the entire article on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1925251/...
---+ For more information:
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/A...
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[@bewak86]

If only my food stash is as secure as the woodpeckers..... No Food or water is safe from my roommates

[@randomcatmeow1394]

bewak86 have you tried drilling small holes into your wall and storing potato chips in them?

[@Krisostomo25]

LOL

[@zintosion]

Hahaha, but the woodpeckers share their acorns with their roommate though :P

[@CloudContainer]

zintosion are you his room mate?

[@charlottewalnut3118]

bewak86 eat your roommates

[@cottonponytail]

They’re adorable.

[@user-eb8ip2kw9s]

Roxan Amarante What does adorable mean?

[@user-eb8ip2kw9s]

Worminator Ok thanks

[@shokovolts]

There's a video of a woodpecker cracking in baby doves' skulls and eating their brains verycuteyou'rewelcome

[@user-eb8ip2kw9s]

shokovolts Give me the link of that video😃

[@shokovolts]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWXSdoBmjJugnq8 :DDDDDDD

[@mypal1990]

Shout out to the woodpecker for being an alarm clock in any campsite.

[@pseudonym9215]

Emmanuel Alejandro shoot out to the woodpeckers

[@kishasamuels1891]

Emmanuel Alejandro i

[@Eternally_Moon]

Hahah true

[@Genthar]

Haha, actually out here it's usually the crows and the stellar jays you hear before the woodpeckers.

[@tooBratiful]

Emmanuel Alejandro, Those woodpeckers are SO annoying! They don't just peck on trees, but also peck on my house! My brother could barely sleep from them! >: (

[@heshiram1188]

*sees titles* hmm I don't know.. *Coconuts?*

[@JustinRed624]

John Smith yeah the title says *"acorn* woodpecker" what else would it eat?😂😂😂

[@JustinRed624]

LagiNaLangAko23 inde ko siya kapatid

[@heshiram1188]

ah mga kababayan

[@siriuskndfgsegg7495]

John Smith *_coconuts_*

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

We all know they eat fish

[@reitrace]

I'm gonna guess they eat human souls

[@KQEDDeepLook]

+1

[@brdesign9502]

@@KQEDDeepLook pffffft

[@nekotineee]

@@KQEDDeepLook pffffft hahahaha 😂

[@kingkobra771]

@@KQEDDeepLook pffffft

[@ItsMe-mq5on]

Human foreskins would be better.

[@prathammishra4945]

"the acorns belongs to all of them." *Joseph Stalin wants to know your location*

[@ItsWhiteout]

*Equality intensifies*

[@ebonimom6964]

@@ItsWhiteout Yyyeeesss!!!!!

[@stepaushi]

acorns belong

[@AzparoGuardian]

The first woodpecker: i just store my acorn in the tree The other woodpecker: *OUR* acorn

[@pierre8684]

The quality on these videos deserve more views seriously it does

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you!

[@johnlenardbuslon8500]

*Subscribers*

[@alveeislam2934]

@@KQEDDeepLook No thanks

[@thegamergirl6164]

@@alveeislam2934 bruh

[@eCitizen1]

I have three trees in my backyard and each has about a thousand acorn holes and about a third of them have acorns. The red headed woodpeckers are cute and fun to watch. Flickers on the otherhand sometimes mistake the fascia of my house for a tree and do a lot of damage, but since they are protected I can only yell at them when they start destroying my house.

[@rabbiqa]

"And the acorn belongs to all of them" *bird flies away with one acorn*

[@shuliu4804]

*OFF TO GULAG FOR YOU COMRADE*

[@stepaushi]

She said "the *acorns* belong to all of them".

[@TemperanceL2]

Birds are so cute and smart, I love birds, thanks for the video

[@Toastmaster_5000]

it boggles my mind why there are people who are terrified of birds, particularly ones like these

[@aliens3219]

Mr.L same! Birds are amazing!

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIIII]

What is this are you joking

[@G3toiy]

Life are so cute and smart ^^

[@jake9854]

and very tasty!

[@sarahfolkemer9767]

*"You'd Never Guess What An Acorn Woodpecker Eats"* YOU DONT SAY?

[@ryusagii]

ummm probably pineapple

[@BagEPB]

nah, he eats Butterscotch-Cinammon Pie, Thats Kewl! - Fresh $@ns

[@sheer9203]

@burteriksson Ik it’s a fake tab

[@MouAresounTaPneusta]

😂

[@yoleeygot7494]

@burteriksson why

[@nickiecore7535]

day becomes instantly better whenever deep look uploads

[@wispy218]

@@leatherneck7857 I'd like a deep look inside your brain.

[@encrium6790]

Woodpeckers are such interesting birds

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We agree!

[@MrJohnny05]

@@KQEDDeepLook o ?

[@Terra2000Z]

You guys make awesome videos on nature itself.♡♡♡

[@chingman2228]

*a true communist utopia*

[@phenylmusic]

WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR CHAINS!

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

*drops acorn* "HE IS WASTING THE FOOD SUPPLY BANISH FROM THE KINGDOM"

[@themirror8994]

*NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR ACORNS, KAKAW*

[@Ninnuam999]

You lose acorn, gulag.

[@alainnaltz7489]

I was looking for a comment like this XD

[@24karatHAMSTER]

Amazing footage

[@TheShiz9797]

In conrad woodpecker's commune every birb works according to their ability and every birb eats according to their needs.

[@toffiklubitoffi8561]

How do they pull them out tho?

[@TheShiz9797]

considerable effort

[@reitrace]

they dont they just eat them in the tree

[@thecatmeow757]

Toffiklubitoffi MAGIC

[@megan7843]

They pierce the acorn with their peak like a knife and potato

[@vbgvbg1133]

They dont

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

I love this so much! Thanks a ton for this footage, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on these fellas from now on!

[@arvantsaraihan5777]

omg im always excited waiting for this channel's quality posts

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks, Ansa!

[@jameskliecumpio5211]

Yes another videos :) love you deep look❤

[@communistcat3240]

everyone works and the acorns belong to all of them new favorite animal

[@tarinm9430]

Stalin is proud of them

[@kennethsim7097]

Karl max law of communism is based on wookpecker

[@justryou419]

@@kennethsim7097 it's obvious that woodpeckers invented communism

[@demosthenes995]

Wow your videos never fail to impress. The time and effort put into getting this quality footage must have been grueling, but it was definitely worth it!

[@frankteng]

Amazing as always, I used to think they were only insectivores.

[@tron-8140]

I absolutely adore how your show actually focuses on the wildlife without making it all about us humans.

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

agreed

[@bongobongo3661]

Hmm, it's hard to tell what an ACORN woodpecker feeds on

[@reitrace]

Adam H. ikr it took me 500 years to find out spoilers: its capitalist souls

[@lancelnce]

Maybe POPCORN? Who knows?

[@buy.almond3358]

Ikr. My theory is that they might eat fish?

[@tobiokagayama2522]

pffffhht you guys. Isn’t it obvious? They clearly eat pickles!

[@thomasdyett3302]

Acorns?

[@Kalleosini]

YES, what a great guess!

[@communistcat3240]

wrong communism and also acorns

[@user-bl4oq7fd8d]

I thought they eat a corn. Just one in their life!

[@reitrace]

no you're all wrong, they eat human souls

[@muneebhaider2286]

3:24 WHOOPS!! MOMMY!!! i dropped my chicken burger 3:32 now my mom scolds me and dad says no honey it was just a burger dont get mad on the kid

[@gigglysamentz2021]

Oh my god this is so amazing!!! How have I never heard of this??

[@jessical4866]

The preservation system reminds me of how humans pressure can. Maybe the flavor isn’t as nice, and your options are limited, but it gets you through the winter. And you always want to make sure it doesn’t leak or have any gaps so it won’t go bad! (If it’s not fully pressurized, just eat it sooner.)

[@Attallasmusic]

Deep look is AMAZING.. like for realz!!! your videos are so beautiful and informative, you guys also pay attention to all the small details for example, even the noise that the bird make while eating/licking is there. i really enjoy your videos and i cant wait until you upload the next one. i cant describe how happy i am when i watch your stuff.

[@littlerunt111]

You’ll never guess what an ant eater eats

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You got me. What?

[@opheluna]

Angry phil bees?

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

COme on we all know it's fish

[@SuperLbowman]

Cheese ?

[@ItsWhiteout]

Durr, it's the children In my basement.

[@homesick7137]

Satisfying, as always!😊

[@tonyabond7731]

I don't know how I stumbled upon this channel, but I've been watching these videos for days now. I can't get enough! Your videos are awesome and I can't wait for more! ❤️

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks, Tonya!

[@petercarioscia9189]

This channel deserves so many more subs and views. Amazing work!!

[@nekowolf2336]

"Once in a while they lose acorns but thats okay droped acorns can sprout into new oaks for future generations" *So your telling me they're hardworking but too lazy to just pick it back up.*

[@GrandCorsair]

They don't believe in the 10 second rule.

[@jeremybersabe9520]

Acorn woodpecker are the only ones that store their food in carefully made holes Me:what about bees

[@anthonyvaughn7988]

They have the most ADORABLE bird call in the world. I literally run outside when I hear them bc it is so unique and cute...like the fuzzy teddy of the bird world

[@Angelinamarie1121]

I look forward to all your new videos. They're great to enjoy. :)

[@afiqirfan2911]

Who subbed cuz u love science?

[@Gothead420]

Now i wonder: How do they get these out of there again?

[@doriweishaar4901]

Once again, I've learned new facts !! Where were you guys when l was in school ? lol Our apple tree looks like swiss cheese and with an apparent lack of bugs (at least enough to create holes up and down the entire trunk) I had to go look and what do you know !! Small acorns are squirreled away in many of the very high holes !! Now when we hear our wood peckers, we have a hint as to what they're doing ! Great video once again !!!!!

[@TheLetterTen]

They are so adorable. Thank you again so much for more content!

[@Ladyalphawolf]

There's a colony of these birds at a post office I go to..

[@Ninety7Till]

I don’t get the title lol “you’ll never guess what an acorn woodpecker eats” ummm ? Acorns ??? lol

[@edu6900]

Every episode that I watch I discover new animals and plants! Thanks deep look and everyone working to make these good quality videos

[@amish613]

This is better than national geographic channel narratives. Bcuz of high quality video and great editing

[@liwazamemon918]

Deep look,your channel is amazing!!glad i found it!!😁😁 you definitely deseve alot of subscribers😊😊👍👍

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you, liwaza.

[@ozzygomez7440]

Nice video

[@nicholasemjohnson47]

It's not just trees they store their acorns in. They will also store them in cabins, telephone poles, basically anything made of wood. But then again that's why they're called woodpeckers.

[@rizalardiansyah4486]

For some reason it's heart warming watching those birds doing their things...

[@abyssbun444]

Birb

[@alvarotiradomoreno9605]

Great video. How do sap rots acorns? Thanks, keep up the good work.

[@malnutritionboy]

Álvaro Tirado Moreno moisture?

[@-dash.]

moisture does

[@JoeUploads]

I have such a love for birds and I was so excited to watch this video. It's amazing and I hope to see more of these amazing creatures in future videos!

[@macayleangelina9892]

I love sarcasm, and sarcastic KZbin video titles are a rare gem, applause.

[@MedSou]

1:13 beautiful ❤❤❤

[@StoopVital]

Don't let this distract you from the fact that IHOP changed its name to IHOB...

[@mydogsfacelookslikeastockp8275]

wiat......what

[@tamitrue6082]

And nobody cares? Man this is serious!

[@AllenTheSwordsman]

It's amazing how much more intelligent and amazing these animals are when you really take time to learn about them.

[@AnNguyen-oz6qw]

These are the kinds of videos I wanna see, and make. Thanks Deep Look for all these inspiring videos.

[@theodoric7335]

This family system really reminds me of communism lol also the most terrifying bird for trypopophobic people

[@fusadiluna]

You're right, they have a red mark as well lol.

[@ExpiredCartonOfEggNogg]

If they were communist birds they would have no acorns or any food

[@julianheierle5913]

This is actually more socialistic than communistic. Its called reciprocity

[@Wandrative]

Please dont try to link natural families to some human ideology

[@theodoric7335]

Wandrative nah i know its not like that, im not saying that "we copy nature har har har" or anything, just saying that its interesting how all these things we made either tangible or intagible nature has made before us. Including this ideology. Whats wrong with linking the two anyway? its and interesting comparison and is not insulting or damaging anything or anyone

[@dorachdew]

TRYPOPHOBIA

[@Aganaden]

is just an imagination

[@TheRoyalBum]

Trypophobia is a choice

[@2moke2creen]

I'm very trypophobic, but I didn't feel it this time. Weird.

[@mrmofo2215]

When the Trypo scene came, I had to think twice to continue the video or not.

[@rosalinaremitio7730]

Lol!!same here

[@TheBiohazard3179]

You guys are one of the few that truly deserve donations on Patreon, and I really hate Patreon. Wish USD wasn't unbelievably expensive in Turkey.

[@lowtierhuman69]

So I live just north of Marin County and there are some of these guys that live around me. On my property in a corner is a dead(ish) tree that they use to store acorns in and I once put a bunch in to some holes myself. All were removed by the time I checked again, I wasn't doing it right. I bet I picked some sub par ones, lol, I thought I was helping.

[@ayasofiarassy640]

Omg you'll never guess what acorn woodpecker eat !? *ACORNS*

[@radikal8485]

Socialism, woodpecker edition.

[@tarinm9430]

Communism*

[@Pindrop22]

The woodpecker acorn checking process is so cute

[@ninethreefivesix]

Awww the way it hides from the raptor. Cuties.

[@Unknown-pv2qf]

Furiously thinks of a good comment to get a like from deep look*

[@senglior3]

Your videos are allways awesome, congratulations for your work!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks!

[@yamushu210]

These videos make me excited every time you upload! I don't understand why anyone would dislike this--

[@syedmohdgulamasghar8809]

Beautiful . They teaches us the importance of stock management. Nice , keep on exploring.

[@IRZAMiMiC]

This should be popular by now, the quality is to good to be free. Best quality deeplook

[@user-ik8oq1ob4n]

The first video I watched from your channel was about more than 2 years ago, I’ve seen editing differences, new narrators, and more new stuff.:)

[@zybertechnica8212]

I just love how the narrator speaks, it makes me to listen more carefully, she's probably a broadcaster

[@thegeneralist5279]

Great video! I didn’t even know about this type of woodpecker!

[@chrisguy210]

I love this! It's the type of video i'd imagine being right at home on the Discovery Channel 20 years ago...

[@cgg3169]

Another video loved the content!!

[@srinathreddy590]

one of the best video I've seen in this year...Deep Look & Curiosity Stream

[@HumanBean520]

3:24 “nice one butterbeak”

[@akari_reipog]

You guys really need more suuuubs your content is greaaaat and your videos are lovely and full of effort you guys deserves mooore

[@cravenlunatic1]

We had tons of these birds in my hometown when i was growing up. They used to drill our house full of holes, and every other power pole in the neighborhood too, lol.

[@Cleo-ix2kd]

How cute and smart they are

[@Pygmygerbil88]

I was reading somewhere :Wood peckers hit the wood with such a great force that if they do not close their eyelid the eye would easily pop out.

[@johncalahan6764]

Another episode to make my day! Thanks

[@kickazzdrummer666]

This channel is SUPERB!

To learn something new never ends and this is very OK. Great video! 👍

[@Justgoodvids]

Love the soundtrack selection

[@vivovhh7782]

Thx deep look. Nice videos and information. I watched all your videos

[@irenelai8248]

beautiful and precious footage about such a fascinating bird! thanks deep look

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@daphenomenalz4100]

Animals are so adorable and clever at the same time, these guys even take in notice that the acorns don't get rotten due to moisture, that's impressive

[@CRMayerCo]

Wonderful! Fascinating!

[@devinvillanueva9006]

This made me happy and my thirst for knowledge quenched! Refreshing!

[@albertonava7394]

I love seeing the animals you guys show

[@hensetsuri8036]

awesome as always 💕

[@WonderingAboutThat]

Thank you, it was a delight to learn more about the birds that were outside my window today.

[@tonybuckman757]

Deep look comes through to save the day!!

[@fishboy279]

Nature is so interesting. Great vid guys.

[@FilbieTron]

Fascinating, as usual! 👍👍

[@cookiecollie9ytenjoy342]

Just started watching ur vids today and im already subbing XD