U.S.: coastal area and foothills of Oregon, California, much of Arizona and New Mexico, and western Texas. Mexico: Northern Sierra Madre, Transcontinental Vol. Mountains, Southern Sierra Madre, and throughout Central America. May occur at low elevations in the north area of its range but rarely below 3,300 feet in Central America and breeds up to the timberline.

Numerous in oak, pine-oak woodlands as well as parks in suburbs. Drills holes in dead trees for winter storage of acorns. Nest are excavated in a large cavity drilled from a dead tree. Usually in small, noisy groups.

Yellowish throat, black back, white rump and white patches on primaries which become obvious in flight. Black breast turns to white streaks, then turns to white on the belly. Male has black and white face with red crown and nape. Female has red nape.