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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Most of the western United States west of the Dakotas, except rare in the coast states. | + | Most of the western United States west of the Dakotas, except rare in the coast states. Rare vagrant to the plains states. Casual vagrant to the northeast. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Revision as of 12:20, 22 July 2008
- Melanerpes lewis
Identification
27-29 cm. Metallic greenish black above; grey collar and breast; pinkish-red belly; dark red face framed with greenish black. Sexes alike.
Distribution
Most of the western United States west of the Dakotas, except rare in the coast states. Rare vagrant to the plains states. Casual vagrant to the northeast.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Open pine-oak woodlands, oak or cottonwood groves in grasslands, ponderosa pine country.
Behaviour
It lays 6-8 white eggs in a cavity in a dead stump or tree limb. The male makes the nest and both parents incubate for 12 days.
Diet includes flying insects; it also stores acorns and other nuts for winter, and sometimes damage fruit orchards.
