Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) photos by Larry Jordan
Lewis’s Woodpeckers (Melanerpes lewis) usually begin their molt in autumn and it can last through the winter. The bird above appears to be molting (click on photos for full sized images).
I noticed that they had returned from their breeding grounds a few weeks ago and were showing up in fairly large numbers among the large oaks along the rural route I take to work each morning.
They have a distinctive plumage and show conspicuous insect hawking behavior from the tree tops, easily seen from the roadway.
These images were taken with my digiscoping setup and I was fortunate to catch this bird as it took off from its perch.
I also shot some video of a couple of Lewis’s Woodpeckers, one foraging, possibly on acorns, in an oak tree and another (the bird pictured in the top photo) that was preening in a snag.
You will hear several other species of birds in the background including the California Quail, Western Scrub-Jay, Northern Flicker, White-breasted Nuthatch and the high pitched chatter of the Lewis’s Woodpecker.
To see more great bird photos, check out The Bird D’pot and Wild Bird Wednesday!
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very pretty birds. i like their magenta-colored face!
You get a lot of birds I don’t see, I’m surprised our habitats are that different.
Beautiful woodpecker! Great shots, Larry!
Lovely shots, Larry!! What a beautiful bird.
Lovely in flight shots, and great colouring on the woodys.
Brilliant photos catching the bird in the air like that!
He looks much bigger than our woodpeckers, how big is it compared to something like a Jackdaw. From Findlay
I would never have guessed this to be a woodpecker. You find the most interesting birds. Thanks for getting all the shots and for the info. Enjoyed the video also. 🙂
I’ve not seen one like this, ever!!! The last one in flight is just awesome.
Fantastic images of a great bird!!!
Great captures!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Great shots of this beautiful bird!! Another new bird to me…/Susanne
What beautifully marked birds and it is so nice when a bird perches so nicely within our sights. That makes photographing them so much easier~
Beautiful birds! I love that flight shot.
Great capture!
I have never seen a Lewis’s Woodpecker. What an amazing bird. Very beautiful shots as well.
Beautiful photos love the video.
Great looking bird! I’m going to have to give digi-scoping a go – as I have a similar scope and camera body.
Thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M – Australia
What a stunning Woodpecker – very nice colors.
You are lucky to get those kind of birds on your way to work!
These are gorgeous Woodpeckers, I hope to have some opportunities with them this winter.