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Lewis’s Woodpeckers Put On A Show

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!

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • TexWisGirl October 30, 2012, 7:12 am

    very pretty birds. i like their magenta-colored face!

  • Martha Z October 30, 2012, 9:04 am

    You get a lot of birds I don’t see, I’m surprised our habitats are that different.

  • Eileen October 30, 2012, 9:56 am

    Beautiful woodpecker! Great shots, Larry!

  • Liz October 30, 2012, 10:28 am

    Lovely shots, Larry!! What a beautiful bird.

  • Adam Jones October 30, 2012, 11:34 am

    Lovely in flight shots, and great colouring on the woodys.

  • Mick October 30, 2012, 11:38 am

    Brilliant photos catching the bird in the air like that!

  • Findlay October 30, 2012, 11:39 am

    He looks much bigger than our woodpeckers, how big is it compared to something like a Jackdaw. From Findlay

  • Gail October 30, 2012, 12:31 pm

    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'd Rather B Birdin [Anni] October 30, 2012, 1:20 pm

    I’ve not seen one like this, ever!!! The last one in flight is just awesome.

    Fantastic images of a great bird!!!

  • Boom & Gary October 30, 2012, 2:27 pm

    Great captures!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

  • fjällripan October 30, 2012, 2:30 pm

    Great shots of this beautiful bird!! Another new bird to me…/Susanne

  • Mary Howell Cromer October 31, 2012, 3:38 am

    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~

  • Pat October 31, 2012, 8:30 am

    Beautiful birds! I love that flight shot.

  • Modesto Viegas (Portugal) October 31, 2012, 12:14 pm

    Great capture!

  • Backyard Bird Paradise October 31, 2012, 2:15 pm

    I have never seen a Lewis’s Woodpecker. What an amazing bird. Very beautiful shots as well.

  • Neil October 31, 2012, 2:19 pm

    Beautiful photos love the video.

  • Stewart M November 1, 2012, 2:23 am

    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

  • dreamfalcon November 1, 2012, 3:03 am

    What a stunning Woodpecker – very nice colors.
    You are lucky to get those kind of birds on your way to work!

  • Mia McPherson November 1, 2012, 1:01 pm

    These are gorgeous Woodpeckers, I hope to have some opportunities with them this winter.