The Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) is a medium-sized woodpecker found in western North America. Its range extends from southern British Columbia in Canada through the western United States to Baja California in Mexico.
Range
Here is a summary of where Lewis’s woodpeckers can be found:
- Canada: Southern British Columbia
- United States: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona
- Mexico: Baja California
Lewis’s woodpeckers inhabit open woodlands, burnt forests, pine-oak forests, and riparian woodlands. They are associated with ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees. They prefer areas with standing dead trees (snags) which provide nesting cavities.
Breeding Range
During the breeding season, Lewis’s woodpeckers can be found in these main areas:
- British Columbia: Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, South Cariboo region
- Washington: Central and eastern regions
- Oregon: Throughout most of state except northwest coastal areas
- California: Sierra Nevada, Cascade Range, Coast Ranges
- Idaho: Southern and central regions
- Montana: Western half of state
- Wyoming: Western half of state
- Colorado: Western slope
- Utah: Scattered populations
- New Mexico: Northwestern and north central regions
- Arizona: Central and southeastern regions
During the breeding season, which runs from April to July, Lewis’s woodpeckers nest in cavities they excavate in dead trees. They prefer lower elevation pine forests and riparian woodlands with an abundance of snags.
Wintering Range
In winter, Lewis’s woodpeckers retreat from the northern parts of their range and can be found in these main areas:
- California: Throughout state except northwest corner and high elevations
- Arizona: South and southeast regions
- New Mexico: Southwestern region
- Texas: Trans-Pecos region
- Mexico: Northwestern Baja California
Their winter range extends south to the mountains of central Mexico. During winter, Lewis’s woodpeckers use a wider variety of habitats including oak woodlands, sycamore-cottonwood groves, scrub oak, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and pine-oak forests.
Migration
Lewis’s woodpeckers are somewhat nomadic and irregular in their migration patterns. They may wander outside their normal range in search of food. Nevertheless, they do follow some general migration patterns:
- Autumn: They migrate from September to November from the northern parts of their range to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
- Spring: They return north from February to May to their breeding grounds.
Their migration is leisurely and follows the ripening of crops such as acorns, seeds, and berries that the birds rely on. They often stopover for weeks at a time to feed.
Population Estimates
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, Lewis’s woodpecker populations are estimated at:
Region | Population Estimate |
---|---|
Entire range | 130,000 |
Canada | 12,000 |
USA | 83,000 |
Mexico | 35,000 |
Population trends show that Lewis’s woodpecker numbers declined by around 45% between 1966 and 2015, primarily due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts are now underway to protect and restore critical breeding and wintering habitats for the species across its range.
Habitats
Lewis’s woodpeckers use a variety of habitat types and elevation ranges throughout their life cycle. Key habitats include:
Breeding Habitats
- Ponderosa pine forests – preferred nesting habitat
- Burned coniferous forests – abundant nest sites
- Oak woodlands
- Riparian woodlands dominated by cottonwood
- Elevations: 130 – 9,000 feet
Winter Habitats
- Oak and sycamore savannas
- Joshua tree woodlands
- Pinyon-juniper woodlands
- Scrub oak
- Elevations: 130 – 7,000 feet
In both seasons, availability of snags for nesting and roosting is a key habitat requirement. Lewis’s woodpeckers also need open foraging spaces and an abundance of insects, nuts, seeds and berries.
Threats and Conservation
The main threats facing Lewis’s woodpecker include:
- Habitat loss – Fire suppression has reduced nesting habitats
- Logging of old-growth pine forests
- Loss of oak and riparian woodlands
- Climate change – May alter range and habitats
- Competition – With other cavity nesters for nest sites
- House sparrow – An aggressive competitor
Conservation efforts focus on protecting key breeding and wintering habitats. Prescribed burning is used to create nesting habitat. Nest boxes are also installed where natural cavities are limited. Riparian and oak woodlands are protected as they provide important winter habitats. Additional research into effects of climate change is needed.
Conclusion
In summary, the Lewis’s woodpecker is found across western North America from southern British Columbia to Mexico’s Baja California. Its breeding range centers on pine forests and riparian woodlands in the western United States and southern Canada. Winters are spent in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. The species uses a variety of open, arid woodlands and savannas during winter. Cavity nesting habitats with abundant food sources are essential year-round. While still fairly common, populations have declined significantly in recent decades primarily due to habitat loss. Conservation efforts now aim to protect key breeding and wintering habitats across their range.