Yearlong, diurnal activity. One clutch per year of 4 eggs, range 3-5. Fledging at 26-28 days. May renest if nest disturbed early in incubation. Male and female apparently pair for life.
Parents defend nest aggressively from intruders.
Nestlings may be preyed upon by raccoons, bobcats, martens, long-tailed weasels, squirrels, mice, porcupines, crows, and jays. Drills the largest holes and cavities of any woodpecker in California. These provide nesting cavities for many species of secondary cavity-nesters, including mergansers and wood ducks. Has a low tolerance for disturbance by humans. Food of woodpeckers of the United States.