Description: The
Lewis' Woodpecker is a handsome bird, with
a bright red face, iridescent green back,
wings and tail, white neck and breast and
a pinkish stomach. Lewis' Woodpeckers look
very dark at a distance or in flight. Unlike
most woodpeckers, Lewis' may glide in flight.
They average about 9 inches in length.
Habitat/Range/Diet: Lewis'
Woodpeckers are found throughout the Rocky
Mountains and the west. Although they are
not particularly common anywhere, highest
densities occur in northern California
and northern New Mexico. Populations of
Lewis' Woodpeckers have declined by as
much as 50 percent since 1966. They are
a species of high conservational concern
because of their low numbers, patchy distribution
and dependence on mature forests. Lewis'
Woodpeckers prefer open Ponderosa Pine
forests or burned pine forests with an
open canopy and shrubby understory. Lewis'
Woodpeckers eat insects.
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