Behavior of Nesting Lewis' Woodpeckers in the Laramie Range, Southeastern Wyoming

Abstract

Little data exist on the behavior of nesting Lewis' Woodpeckers (Melanerpes lewis), particularly in areas where it is not a year long resident. We examined behavioral characteristics of this migratory bird that nested in clumps of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in southeastern Wyoming during the 1993-1994 breeding seasons. We divided the breeding season into three periods defined as prenesting, incubation, and nestling. We found period difference (P < 0.05) in foraging behavior, time spent out of sight of the nest, time spent in the nest cavity, and perching. Birds spent more time foraging and perching during the nestling period as apposed to the incubation period (P < 0.05). We found no significant time of day differences. Period effects were found for vegetation gleaning (1993) and hawking (1994). [/even of the 30 nests active in 1993 were reused in 1994.