is a striking bird that can be found in western North America. Here is some more information about this unique species.
Basic Description
Lewis’s Woodpecker has a distinctive appearance, with its deep red face and neck, grey-blue belly, greenish-black back and wings, and pinkish-red undertail feathers. It also has an iridescent sheen on its head and upper body that shimmers in the sunlight.
This woodpecker is roughly 10 inches long with a wingspan of about 20 inches. The males have a larger bill than females which makes it easier to distinguish them from each other.
Where To Find This Bird
Lewis’s Woodpecker can be found across western North America, including parts of California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Colorado. They are typically seen near open forests or wooded areas adjacent to meadows or grasslands.
These birds are known for their affinity for burned-out forests (after forest fires), where they can find plenty of dead trees for nesting sites as well as easy access to insects which thrive on burnt wood.
Habitat
As previously mentioned Lewis’s Woodpeckers prefer open woodland environments such as ponderosa pine savannahs and mixed coniferous-deciduous woods. They also inhabit oak groves nestled between rolling hills throughout their range.
They make use of snags (dead trees) both standing upright or leaning against others; these provide nesting habitats similar to what would occur naturally before human intervention altered the landscape by controlling wildfires too much.
Food
Like most woodpeckers Lewis’s primarily eat insects but they will supplement their diet with acorns during late summer months when insect populations begin dwindling down after breeding season ends in springtime bringing fewer available sources upon which these territorial birds feed until renewed resources become available next year.
Cool Facts
One interesting fact about Lewis’s Woodpecker is that they often catch insects in mid-flight. They will fly out from their perch and snatch an insect out of the air with their bill before returning to the original position.
Another fascinating thing about these birds is that they store food in crevices or bark flakes for later consumption, which has earned them the nickname “acorn woodpeckers.”
In conclusion, Lewis’s Woodpecker is a unique bird species known for its striking appearance and preference for open woodland environments found throughout western North America. They are fascinating creatures with some intriguing habits such as catching insects mid-flight and storing food for later consumption.
