Gila Woodpecker

Least Concern

Melanerpes uropygialis

The desert's rowdy and resourceful carpenter, this bird skilfully drills nest holes in towering saguaro cacti across the American Southwest.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Gila Woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with a distinctive black-and-white barred back, brown head, and cream-colored underparts. Its wings display a bold white patch visible in flight, and its tail is black with white outer feathers.

Males are distinguished by a small red crown patch, which is absent in females. Juveniles resemble adults but have a browner overall coloration and may show faint barring on the underparts.

Size

Length

20cm to 25cm

Wingspan

40cm to 43cm

Weight

60g to 85g

Colours

Primary Colour

Brown Black White

Secondary Colour

Red

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

Gila Woodpeckers are primarily found in the Sonoran Desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. They inhabit arid and semi-arid areas dominated by saguaro cacti, mesquite woodlands, and riparian zones.

In the United States, they are common in southern Arizona and parts of southeastern California. These adaptable birds have also successfully colonized urban areas within their range, frequenting parks and residential areas with mature trees.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,600 meters

Climate zones

Arid, Subtropical

Distribution Map

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Resident
Breeding

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 70
Adaptability 90
Aggressiveness 65
Endurance 75

Diet

Gila Woodpeckers have a varied diet that includes insects, fruits, and nectar. They are particularly fond of saguaro cactus fruits and often visit hummingbird feeders.

These woodpeckers also consume ants, beetles, and other arthropods they extract from tree bark and cacti using their strong beaks.

Behaviour

Gila Woodpeckers are highly adaptable and energetic birds. They frequently engage in drumming behavior, not only for communication but also to create nesting cavities in cacti and trees.

These woodpeckers are known for their acrobatic foraging, often seen hanging upside down to probe for insects in tree bark or cactus fruits.

Vocalisation

Gila Woodpeckers are vocal birds with a variety of calls. Their most common vocalization is a loud, rolling 'churr' or 'kirr-ah' sound, often repeated in series. During courtship or territorial disputes, they produce a sharp, staccato 'pic-pic-pic' call. Their drumming on resonant surfaces serves both as communication and for nest excavation.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Gila Woodpeckers typically begins in April and can extend through August. Pairs often remain together year-round and may use the same nesting site for multiple seasons.

These woodpeckers excavate nesting cavities primarily in saguaro cacti, but also in large trees or wooden structures in urban areas. The female usually lays 3-5 white eggs in the unlined cavity.

Both parents share incubation duties for about 14 days. After hatching, the nestlings remain in the cavity for approximately 4 weeks before fledging. Parents continue to feed and care for the young for several weeks after they leave the nest.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 5 - 8 years
0
3
5
8
10

years

The Gila Woodpecker typically lives for 5 to 8 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Gila Woodpeckers face challenges from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion in their desert habitats.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving saguaro cactus forests and educating homeowners about the importance of maintaining native vegetation.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,500,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Stable[3]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Gila Woodpeckers near saguaro cacti in desert areas
  • Listen for their distinctive 'churr' call, which can help locate them
  • Observe palm trees and wooden structures in urban areas, as they often nest in these
  • Watch for their undulating flight pattern, typical of woodpeckers

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Saguaro Woodpecker

Family:

Picidae

Predators

Main predators include Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and occasionally snakes that can access their nesting cavities.

Did You Know?

  1. Gila Woodpeckers create holes in saguaro cacti that are later used by other desert animals for nesting.
  2. They have a symbiotic relationship with saguaro cacti, helping to disperse seeds through their droppings.
  3. Using their long, barbed tongues, These woodpeckers can drink nectar from hummingbird feeders.

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References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Melanerpes uropygialis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680853A92882402.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven