Lewis's Woodpecker Bird Facts (Melanerpes lewis)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Lewis's Woodpecker stands out with its unique coloration. The bird has a dark, iridescent green back, a pinkish-red belly, and a grey collar. Its face is dark red, contrasting with a silvery-grey throat.

Both sexes look similar, and although males are usually marginally larger than females, there is no reliable way of telling sexes apart by sight alone. There are no significant seasonal plumage changes.

Juveniles do not have the white collar or red facial plumage of adults, and their bellies may lack the pink tinge seen in mature birds. By late fall, they become more challenging to distinguish from older birds.

Size

Length

26cm to 28cm

Wingspan

49cm to 52cm

Weight

88g to 138g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Green Red Pink

Secondary Colour

Grey Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lewis's Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Lewis's Woodpecker can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Lewis's Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Lewis's Woodpecker inhabits open ponderosa pine forests, oak woodlands, and riparian areas in western North America. Their range extends from southern British Columbia to Arizona and New Mexico.

In winter, some populations move to lower elevations or more southern areas. They are particularly common in burned forests, which provide ideal nesting and foraging habitats.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,800 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lewis's Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Breeding

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Mexico

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Canada United States of America

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Lewis's Woodpecker displays remarkable agility, particularly in its flycatcher-like behaviour of catching insects mid-air. This unusual trait for a woodpecker, combined with its ability to perch on exposed branches and navigate through various forest types, indicates high manoeuvrability and dexterity.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong compared to some larger woodpeckers, Lewis's Woodpecker possesses adequate strength for excavating nest cavities in dead or dying trees and for storing acorns in bark crevices. Their medium size suggests moderate strength capabilities.

Adaptability 75

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

These birds demonstrate considerable adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from ponderosa pine forests to oak woodlands and even urban areas. Their ability to switch diets seasonally, from insects to nuts and berries, further showcases their adaptiveness to changing environments.

Aggressiveness 70

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

During the breeding season, Lewis's Woodpeckers become notably aggressive, fiercely defending their nesting sites from intruders. This territorial behaviour, coupled with their ability to compete with European Starlings for nest cavities, indicates a reasonably high level of aggression.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Lewis's Woodpecker's partial migratory behaviour and ability to inhabit a wide elevation range (from sea level to 2,800 metres) suggest good endurance. However, their relatively quiet nature and infrequent drumming compared to other woodpeckers might indicate they're not among the most high-endurance species in their family.

Diet

Lewis's Woodpecker has a varied diet. In summer, they primarily catch flying insects in mid-air. During fall and winter, they switch to acorns, nuts, and berries, often storing these in bark crevices for later consumption. They also occasionally forage on the ground.

They may visit backyard feeders, particularly flat tray-style feeders, where they may display aggression towards other species that attempt to share the food source.

Behaviour

Lewis's Woodpecker exhibits unusual behavior for a woodpecker. It often perches on exposed branches and catches insects in flight, similar to flycatchers.

During the breeding season, these birds become territorial and aggressively defend their nesting sites from intruders.

Vocalisation

Lewis's Woodpecker is relatively quiet compared to other woodpeckers. Their most common call is a harsh, raspy 'churr' or 'krrr'. During the breeding season, they produce a series of high-pitched 'eee-eee-eee' notes. Drumming is infrequent and not particularly loud.

Nesting & Breeding

Lewis's Woodpeckers form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which typically begins in May. During courtship, they engage in aerial displays and vocalizations.

Nests are excavated in dead or dying trees, often at considerable heights. The female lays 5-9 white eggs in the cavity nest, which is sparsely lined with wood chips.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 12-14 days. After hatching, the nestlings remain in the nest for approximately 28-34 days before fledging.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

Although classified as Least Concern, the Lewis's Woodpecker faces threats to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature forest stands and maintaining snags for nesting.

Climate change and competition with European Starlings for nest cavities pose additional challenges.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

82,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Lewis Woodpecker

Family:

Picidae

Average Lifespan

5 to 7 years

Predators

Main predators include Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and occasionally Great Horned Owls. Squirrels and snakes may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

Lewis's Woodpecker was named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition on 20 July 1805 to explore lands acquired during the Louisiana Purchase. Ornithologist Alexander Wilson named the bird ‘Lewis’s woodpecker’ in 1811. Notes from the expedition recorded his experience in the following words: “I saw a black woodpecker (or crow) today… it is a distinct species of woodpecker; it has a long tail and flies a good deal like the jay bird”.
It's one of the few woodpeckers that catches insects in flight, like a flycatcher.
These birds are known to store thousands of acorns in a single tree for winter food.

Lewis's Woodpecker