Sexual Differences in Foraging Behavior of White-Headed Woodpeckers

Abstract

Field observations of White-headed Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos albolarvatus) in Southern California are described. A pronounced sexual difference in foraging behavior was noted with males utilizing the upper portions and cones of Colter Pines and females the lower portions of the main trunk. These differ somewhat from previous observations of other species of sexually dimorphic woodpeckers.