Ask The Archaeologist: Coastal Miwok Woodpecker Trap

Archaeological Artifact: Coastal Miwok Woodpecker Trap

Artifact Description :

It's a reproduction of a Coast Miwok woodpecker trap, made by Bev Ortiz in the mid-1980s.  Made of willow and wild grape vine, it measures 19 inches in length.  It was used for capturing acorn woodpeckers (the ones with the redscalps used in basketry). Woodpeckers could only get at food (ie. an acorn) that was placed at the end of the trap by folding back their wings.  The birds extended their bodies into the trap. Once they had realized that they were limited in their movement and could not back out, the woodpecker was trapped.
 

Where this artifact is located:  Diablo Vista District of California State Parks.

For More Information On This Artifact Email Archaeologist  Breck Parkman.