Overview

Gila Woodpecker: Medium woodpecker, black-and-white barred upperparts and central tail feathers, buff-gray neck and underparts. Buff-gray head has a small red cap. Wings have large white patches visible in flight. Its abandoned nesting and roost holes provide shelter for birds, mammals and reptiles.

Range and Habitat

Gila Woodpecker: Resident in southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Preferred habitats include low desert scrub with saguaro or mesquite trees for nesting.

Breeding and Nesting

Gila Woodpecker: Three to five white eggs are laid in a hole in a giant saguaro cactus or tree. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Gila Woodpecker: Eats insects, bird eggs, fruits, and berries.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit

Vocalization

Gila Woodpecker: Song is a rolling "churrrrrr."

Similar Species

Gila Woodpecker: Red-bellied Woodpecker (both parents) has extensive red on the head and nape, and paler underparts. Golden-fronted Woodpecker shows yellow on head, is paler below, and has dark, unmarked, central tail feathers.