Acorn Woodpecker (2 month old hand-raised) for placement

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Contact Information
Contact WildCare
Phone: 415-456-7283
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Country: USA

Species: Acorn Woodpecker

Is rehabilitation complete?: yes

This animal has potential as a :

off-site education animal
static display animal

This animal is: captive reared

Age: 2 months

Reason for entering rehabilitation.:

Days in care: 50

Issues developed while undergoing rehabilitation.:

N/A

Body condition score (5 point scale as defined on https://nagonline.net/3877/body-condition-scoring/): 4

Can the animal express species-typical behaviors (e.g. eat appropriate whole foods, climb, perch, groom, dig, fly, swim, ambulate normally for species)?:

This woodpecker came into our hospital on May 29, 2024 as a days-old nestling when his tree was cut down with his nest in the trunk. Siblings all died, he suffered significant head trauma but recovered to about 90%. He can fly normally in small spaces (current aviary is about 4x4) but in large spaces when he tries to fly he actually ends up flying backwards and can't seem to figure out how to go straight. He can climb, perch, self feed and do everything else normally.

Can the animal be handled without negative welfare affects?: yes

This is how the animal currently reacts when a frequent caregiver nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

Because he has been raised in captivity since he was just days old, he is very comfortable around people. He was originally raised to be wild, hoping his neurological deficits would resolve, so he is not an imprint. Once it was determined by our veterinarian that he would not be releasable we started working with him to keep him friendly. He will respond verbally to people talking to him and take mealworms from tweezers, but also self feeds and does his own thing all day in the aviary. He would be a great display bird or one that could be trained to the glove.

This is how the animal currently reacts when a stranger nears it (e.g. does it modify behavior, show signs of fear, agonism, habituation):

No fear at all, same as above. We have multiple staff and volunteers here on a daily basis so he is used to new people coming and going.

This animal is currently house : alone

Will the animal need continuous medical care (e.g. medication)?: no

Physical health welfare assessment: good life

Mental/emotional health welfare assessment: good life

More Information

This bird is a character and a gem, full of personality! He is chatty and engaged and will make a wonderful educational animal for either display and/or being trained to the glove.

He came into our hospital on May 29, 2024 as a days-old nestling when his tree was cut down with his nest in the trunk. Siblings all died, he suffered significant head trauma but recovered to about 90%. He can fly normally in small spaces (current aviary is about 4x4) but in large spaces when he tries to fly he actually ends up flying backwards and can't seem to figure out how to go straight. He can climb, perch, self feed and do everything else normally.

Wild ACWOs have very intricate social structures and outsiders are not generally accepted, so it is our understanding that he needs to be an 'only child' in his space. While the species is very colony oriented with their own family members, new birds are typically killed. So it is doubtful that he could be added to an existing ACWO, but he might do well with other birds/woodpeckers.

Our facility has had a single ACWO ed animal for about 8 years and have tried to introduce others and they all fight. He seems content on his own, as he is very human-oriented, it seems we are his flock. We are hoping for the same for this kid!

Happy to provide more details, video, etc. Please reach out if interested.

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