The most conspicuous trait of these Woodpeckers is their habit of boring holes in tree trunks and storing acorns therein. The reason for this carpentry has been widely discussed by ornithological savants and like many other queries about bird "reason," the true answer still remains a matter of individual conviction. It has been stated that they know each acorn contains a grub that will grow and after a time the birds return and consume the enlarged tidbit.

Whatever the reason, it is certain the habit is deeply implanted for some birds made a trip of thirty miles for each acorn.