General Description: Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) are strikingly handsome, large woodpeckers of the mountains. The head and wings are greenish-black, the face is red, the belly is pink, and the neck has a gray collar.

Taxonomy: Piciformes, Picidae, Picinae. Formerly Lewis' Woodpecker.

Favored Habitat: Mountain habitats with pine and fir trees.

Where to Find: Lewis' Woodpeckers are uncommon around Las Vegas, but look for them at higher elevations in forested areas such as up on Mt. Charleston and up in the Desert National Wildlife Range (Mormon Well area). They can show up in odd places, so look for them at Corn Creek too.

Comments: Lewis' Woodpeckers eat insects, many of which they catch in the air (like a flycatcher). They also do things like store acorns for later consumption.