Arizona Woodpecker

Picoides arizonae

With its distinctive black-and-white plumage, this southwestern specialty drums out a lively beat in the oak-pine forests of Arizona and Mexico.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Arizona Woodpecker is a small, predominantly brown woodpecker with distinctive white spotting on its wings and underparts. Its back is a rich chocolate brown, contrasting with its pale, speckled belly. The bird's head features a black cap and nape, with white stripes above and below the eyes.

Males are distinguished by a small red patch on the nape, absent in females. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a slightly duller plumage and less distinct markings. Unlike many other woodpeckers, this species does not undergo significant seasonal plumage changes.

Size

Length

19cm to 21cm

Wingspan

33cm to 36cm

Weight

40g to 60g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Black Red

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown White

Secondary Colour (Female)

Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Arizona Woodpecker can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Arizona Woodpecker can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Arizona Woodpecker is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Arizona Woodpeckers are primarily found in the pine-oak forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico, extending northward into the sky islands of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States. They prefer mature forests with a mix of pine, oak, and juniper trees.

In the United States, their range is limited to a few mountain ranges, including the Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita Mountains. These birds are year-round residents, maintaining their territories throughout the seasons, with only slight altitudinal movements in response to severe weather or food availability.

Elevation Range

1,200 to 2,400 meters

Climate zones

Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Arizona Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons