Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Acorn Woodpecker
Scientific name:	Melanerpes formicivorus
Date:	December 16, 2023
Time:	12:30pm
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	8
Age:
Sex:
Location:	Cabin Spring - Zion West Rim Trail
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.287369, -112.968738
Elevation:	6,800'
Distance to bird:	Shortest perched at 15 yards, furthest at 100 yards
Optical equipment:	10x40 Binoculars, Cannon Powershot HS 60X camera
Weather:	Mostly sunny, near 50F, little to no wind. No snow except in permanently shaded areas.
Light Conditions:	Clear skies, mid-day
Description: Size of bird:	Larger than Downy WP and smaller than N Flicker we saw nearby
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Red cap with whitish forehead, whitish throat, lighted made it hard to distinguish differences in the yellow throat
(Description:) Bill Type:	Straight
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Saw these as part of Zion CBC. We had seen 2 Acorn WP on 2020 count and another one as part of 2022 count at nearly exact location. Brought camera this time to document. We saw at least 8 individual birds. Did not take detailed field notes at time as we were getting good photos. Counted 3 in one tree and 2 in a nearby second tree at same time (#s 1-5). A possible 6th later flew in but we couldn't confirm it wasn't one previously counted. Viewed these first birds for 20-30 minutes. We hiked 1/4 mile and saw another (#6) fly in from a distance from opposite direction to about 50 yards away. We walked to within 20 yards of it. 2 more joined it but these came from the direction we just hiked so couldn't confirm these last 2 were not counted previously. Hiked another 1/2 mile into Telephone Canyon and spotted two more on top of a bare tree (#7 & #8). These were 100 yards or more away. Photos of are of birds #1-5. Can provide blurry photos of birds #7 & #8. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Visual except for bird #6 which made its call and seemed to have brought in the two other birds we didn't count. We did do one call for birds #1-5 as we were teaching a non-birder with us. These birds came flying in very close to us upon hearing it.
Behavior:	Birds #1-5 were almost playful, moving a lot from tree to tree and on two occasions one would go to the ground. One would fly to a tree and another would follow. Bird #6 came in, found two other birds, and then the all flew off. Birds #7-8 were perched for several minutes, one flew off up the opposite side of the canyon and about 1 minute later the second one flew off in that same direction.
Habitat:	Higher elevation of Zion NP. Ponderosa with lots of scrub oak in vicinity.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Very distinctive. See photos.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Lived near (alleged) northern-most of their range and would often go to a known large colony to view.
References consulted:	We had a Sibley's App that we used to teach our non-birder with us.
Description from:	Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Paul Jaussi
Observer's address:	1817 S 2740 E, St. George, UT 84790
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Bill Griffiths, Liam Jaussi
Date prepared:	12/18/2023
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	We have an abundance of photos and will send some to the email listed.