Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Acorn Woodpecker
Scientific name:	Melanerpes formicivorus
Date:	June 8, 2025
Time:	8:00 AM
Length of time observed:	10 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Hell Hole Pass Road
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.137836,-113.872599
Elevation:	5800 feet
Distance to bird:	10 feet to 25 feet
Optical equipment:	8 x 43 Zen Ray binoculars
Weather:	sunny
Light Conditions:	bright light conditions with some shade from trees
Description: Size of bird:	medium
(Description:) Basic Shape:	woodpecker shape
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	black, red, and white
(Description:) Bill Type:	woodpecker bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I first saw a woodpecker type bird fly into a tree I was standing by and noticed a black back with a white rump patch and a white wrist patch on the wings. It perched and I got binoculars on it and immediately knew that I was looking at an Acorn Woodpecker. It had had a black chin and white forehead and white throat. It had a black bill, red on the cap, and a clear iris. As it moved around I noticed a dark back and tail, and a white rump. It also had a black upper chest that faded into a white belly. Unfortunately I was with my husband for the weekend and he likes to photograph birds, but that morning he wasn't feeling well, so I went out without a camera, but was able to manage some poorer photos with my cell phone of the bird. I spent some time trying to capture some photos before it went into a pinyon pine and I lost track of it. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	I never heard the bird call
Behavior:	It was hopping on the ground and up onto the trunks of trees looking for food. It seemed oblivious to my presence.
Habitat:	Mostly pinyon with some juniper and oak.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	I feel the Acorn Woodpecker is pretty distinct, but there was also a Hairy Woodpecker in the same area, and was easily distinguished by the black back and white rump and distinct face. A White-headed woodpecker has some similar characteristics but the clear iris, white rump, and black chin eliminates that bird. The Black-backed Woodpecker would not have a red cap on it. Also those two birds would be extremely unlikely as there are no official records in the state.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have extensive experience with Acorn Woodpeckers from when I lived in Oregon, and I have seen them in Utah numerous times.
References consulted:	I referenced Sibley for the similar species section and the photos I took.
Description from:	Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	KC Childs
Observer's address:	Orem, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	none
Date prepared:	June 20, 2025
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	I will email photos separately.