- 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.
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.
