This is Bird Note.

Acorn woodpeckers love their acorns, so much so that they'll go to war over them, and for a chance to mate.

In the oak forests of the West, these birds live in family groups of up to 15 individuals. Over time, if enough birds die off, an opportunity arises for unrelated birds to join the group and obtain a mate.

And the woodpecker wars, known as power struggles, begin.

Birds from other family groups form coalitions, usually consisting of brothers or sisters.

Then, game on.

Up to 30 birds engage in the battle at one time in a frenzied display of wings, loud cries,

and physical attacks that can result in injury or even death.

The war may go on for days or even weeks. Some woodpeckers fly in from distances of more than three

kilometers. Some are there only as spectators, perhaps to gather intel on the

competing alliances. Or maybe they enjoy a good show as much as we do. Winners take all, mates,

breeding territory, and acorns, thousands of them, which get them through the winters,

and help nourish their chicks come spring.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.