∙ Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus) have been widely studied in North America, mainly due to their complex social system. As a resident bird, Acorn Woodpeckers in much of North America hoard acorns for use during the winter and following spring. The importance of this resource, along with geographic differences in the woodpecker’s ecology, has not been as widely studied elsewhere in its range, which extends all the way through Middle America to northern Colombia. This review summarizes published research from five different countries and adds information gathered for a new locality, central Honduras. The results show a gradual change in the importance of acorn storage and a greater variety of foraging behaviors, but with little or no change in social organization. The review highlights the many geographical voids and the need for more thorough studies in most locations to further understand the variation in social and foraging behaviors present throughout this bird’s wide geographical range. Resumen ∙ Organización social y hábitos alimenticios del Carpintero Bellotero (Melanerpes formicivorus) en el Neotrópico incluyendo observaciones del centro de Honduras El Carpintero Bellotero (Melanerpes formicivorus) ha sido ampliamente estudiado en Norteamérica, principalmente debido a su complejo sistema social. Como ave residente, el Carpintero Bellotero en gran parte de Norteamérica acumula bellotas de roble para utilizarlas durante el invierno, y la primavera siguiente. La importancia de este recurso, junto con las diferencias geográficas en la ecología del Carpintero Bellotero, no han sido estudiadas tan ampliamente en el resto de su rango que se extiende a lo largo de Centroamérica hasta el norte de Colombia. Esta revisión resume resultados de investigaciones publicadas de cinco países diferentes y agrega información recopilada para una nueva localidad, el centro de Honduras. Los resultados muestran una diferencia gradual en la importancia del almacenamiento de bellotas y una gran variedad de comportamientos de forrajeo, pero patrones similares en la organización social. La revisión resalta los grandes vacíos geográficos y la necesidad de estudios más exhaustivos en la mayoría de las localidades en orden de comprender las variaciones en comportamiento social y de forrajeo presentes en el amplio rango de esta ave.
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