Diet
What do Lewis's woodpeckers eat?
Flying insects caught on the wing; acorns cached in autumn.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)Lewis's WoodpeckerMelanerpes lewis
Spring and summer diet
- Flying ants, grasshoppers and beetles
Fall and winter diet
- Cached acorns and corn
Best feeder foods
- Suet
- Peanuts
- Cracked corn
The most flycatcher-like woodpecker; stores acorns in bark cracks and defends the larder all winter.
Where Lewis's woodpeckers need winter food
Regions where Lewis's woodpeckers are present in the cold months:
Frequently asked
What do Lewis's woodpeckers eat?
Flying insects caught on the wing; acorns cached in autumn.
What is the best food to feed Lewis's woodpeckers?
Suet, Peanuts, Cracked corn.
What do Lewis's woodpeckers eat in winter?
Cached acorns and corn.
Sources
- Lewis's Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Lewis's Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.