Woodpeckers are unusual woodpeckers of the Black Hills of South Dakota. In
addition to their unique plumage, they often act more like flycatchers when
foraging, as they fly out from perches to catch insects in mid-air. They
also have an unusual flight pattern for a woodpecker, looking more like crows in
flight. They were first discovered on the Lewis and Clark expedition in
1804, and were named after Meriwether Lewis.
open areas for aerial foraging habits. Often found in burned areas,
clear-cut areas, and cottonwood groves and other riverside groves.
Diet: Feeds on many insects during the summer months.
Feeds on fruits, berries, and nuts in all seasons.
Behavior: Uses a variety of foraging techniques,
depending upon season and local conditions. Much of its foraging is
done by flying out from a perch and catching flying insects in mid-air.
They will also glean insects from foliage and tree limbs, and feed on
fruits, nuts, and berries in the canopy, in shrubs, or on the ground.
Nesting: June and July in South Dakota. The nest
of a Lewis's Woodpecker is a cavity in a tree. The female lays between 5
and 8 eggs, and both parents help to incubate them. Upon hatching, both
the male and female fed the young, who leave the nest after about one month.
Song: Usually silent, although they will make weak chattering or chirring notes.
Migration: Migrates erratically, with some
populations being permanent residents, while others routinely move to lower
elevations in the winter. Winter conditions and/or food availability
occasionally result in larger scale migrations.
Similar Species: Generally distinctive
Feeders: Will attend feeders for suet, also for
Conservation Status: Has disappeared from many of it's former breeding grounds in the western United
States, and declines are probably still occurring today. However, declines
are not yet enough for serious concern about populations overall, and
the IUCN currently
lists the Lewis's Woodpecker as a species of "Least Concern".
Cornell University's "All About Birds - Lewis's Woodpecker"
Image Information: Colored Pencil Drawing by Terry