(Santa Fe) — Audubon New Mexico and the Randall Davey Audubon Center will host nationally recognized woodpecker expert, professional naturalist, and author Stephen Shunk, for an evening presentation entitled “Woodpeckers of New Mexico,” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, at the Randall Davey Audubon Center (RDAC). The presentation will be followed by an all-day field workshop on Saturday, February 21, at the RDAC.

Based in central Oregon, Shunk recently completed the Peterson Reference Guide to Woodpeckers of North America, and he conducts ongoing woodpecker research on the east slope of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. According to Shunk, 13 of North America’s 23 woodpecker species occur regularly in New Mexico.

“New Mexico’s broad habitat diversity supports more woodpeckers than most other states and provinces in North America,” Shunk said, “and monitoring woodpecker populations can help gauge the health of native landscapes.”

Shunk’s Wednesday night presentation will cover the identification, behavior, natural history, and ecology of New Mexico’s 13 different woodpeckers, with an emphasis on habitat requirements and conservation for sensitive and declining species. He will also discuss the amazing anatomical adaptations that help woodpeckers withstand a lifetime of slamming their heads against trees. The Saturday workshop will take participants into various woodpecker habitats to observe woodpecker behaviors first-hand.

Audubon New Mexico is asking for a $10 per person contribution for the Wednesday program and $30 per person for the Saturday field workshop. Wednesday’s presentation will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Randall Davey Audubon Center, 1800 Upper Canyon Road (the very top of Canyon Road). The Saturday workshop is scheduled, weather permitting, for 9:30 a.m. at the Randall Davey Audubon Center at the end of Upper Canyon Road.

Audubon New Mexico represents four chapters around the state, each providing scientific, education, and advocacy programs in their local communities. The Randall Davey Audubon Center just celebrated in 2008 its 25th year of providing educational and conservation activities in Santa Fe. The facility hosts an environmental education classroom, nature store, hiking trails, the offices of Audubon New Mexico, and the historic home and studio of Santa Fe artist Randall Davey (1887 – 1964). The Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Center Manager Linda Newberry at 505-983-4609.