SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT Blog Post #1

California’s “Range of Light” is home to a diverse array of both colorful and cryptic birds (the feathers). It is my intent to use my passion for birds and photography to paint a story about 120 of the most common or most sought-after Sierra Nevada (Range of Light) birds by most nature enthusiasts.

Sierra Nevada Birds – Feathers in the Range of Light is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

WHAT’S IN A NAME

• Scientific Name: Picoides albolarvatus
• Family: Picidae
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List species of “Least Concern”
• Occurrence, Residency and Breeding Status: Fairly common year-round resident and regular breeder
• Favored Biotic Zone(s): Lower and Upper Montane Zones

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus) is a striking bird species that inhabits the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. It is a medium-sized woodpecker, measuring between 8 and 10 inches long, with a distinctive black and white plumage. As its name suggests, the White-headed Woodpecker has a white head, which contrasts with its black back, wings, and tail.

Males and females are similar in appearance, although males have a red crescent on the top of their head and a slightly longer bill.

The White-headed Woodpecker is a bird of lower and upper montane coniferous forests, where it feeds on insects, acorns, and pine seeds. It is a specialized forager, using its strong bill to pry off bark and search for food in crevices. The species is also known for its habit of storing acorns and pine seeds in crevices, a behavior known as “caching”.

White-headed Woodpecker is one of the least-studied woodpeckers in North America. In contrast to other parts of its range where populations are dropping, the species is more prevalent in California. The Sierra Nevada is particularly important for White-headed Woodpeckers as it is more often encountered here than anywhere else.

Previous 3 Sierra Nevada Birds Posts

• 
  Cassin’s Vireo
  by Jim Gain
  November 27, 2023
  SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT The Cassin’s Vireo is a Common Summer Visitor of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.
• 
  Hermit Warbler
  by Jim Gain
  November 22, 2023
  SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT The Hermit Warbler is a Common Summer Visitor of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.
• 
  Brown Creeper
  by Jim Gain
  November 17, 2023
  SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT The Brown Creeper is a Common Year-Round Resident of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.