Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
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
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
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Gila 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
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!
Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Gila Woodpecker demonstrates remarkable agility, often seen hanging upside down whilst foraging and manoeuvring adeptly through cacti and trees. Their acrobatic foraging style and ability to navigate complex desert environments suggest high agility.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
With a strong beak capable of excavating nesting cavities in hard saguaro cacti and trees, the Gila Woodpecker possesses considerable strength for its size. Their ability to drum on resonant surfaces also indicates good upper body strength.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Highly adaptable, these woodpeckers thrive in both natural desert habitats and urban environments. Their varied diet and ability to utilise diverse nesting sites, from cacti to wooden structures, showcase their exceptional adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
While not overly aggressive, Gila Woodpeckers exhibit territorial behaviour, particularly during breeding season. Their vocal nature and willingness to defend nesting sites suggest a moderate level of aggressiveness.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Gila Woodpecker's ability to survive in harsh desert conditions, combined with their energetic foraging behaviour and frequent drumming activities, indicates good endurance. Their capacity to excavate nesting cavities, which requires sustained effort, further supports this rating.
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.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Predators
Main predators include Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and occasionally snakes that can access their nesting cavities.
Did You Know?
- Gila Woodpeckers create holes in saguaro cacti that are later used by other desert animals for nesting.
- They have a symbiotic relationship with saguaro cacti, helping to disperse seeds through their droppings.
- Using their long, barbed tongues, These woodpeckers can drink nectar from hummingbird feeders.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Melanerpes uropygialis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680853A92882402.
View source - 2 3
report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven
Share Your Feedback
We value your opinion! Let us know what you think about this bird page.