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Gila Woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialisOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Gila Woodpecker Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Brown in young birds, dark red or red-hazel in adult birds.
  • Head Pattern: Capped, Plain
  • Crown Color: Red spot.
  • Forehead Color: Buff-gray
  • Nape Color: Buff-gray
  • Throat Color: Buff-gray
  • Cere color: No Data
Gila Woodpecker Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 20-25 cm (8-10 in)
  • Weight: 71 g (2.5 oz)
  • Size: Medium (9 - 16 in)
  • Color Primary: Tan, Black
  • Underparts: Buff-gray
  • Upperparts: Black and white barred.
  • Back Pattern: Barred or banded
  • Belly Pattern: Solid
  • Breast Pattern: Solid
Gila Woodpecker Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Undulating flight.
  • Wingspan Range: 38-46 cm (15-18 in)
  • Wing Shape: Rounded-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Squared Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Barred
  • Upper Tail: Black and white barred.
  • Under Tail: Black and white barred.
  • Leg Color: Gray
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Family
Species Melanerpes uropygialis
Length8 - 10 Inches
Wingspan16.5 Inches

Gila Woodpecker

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.

● Song: "churrrrrrr"

● Foraging & Feeding: Gila Woodpecker: Eats insects, bird eggs, fruits, and berries.

● Breeding & 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.

● 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.

Flight Pattern

Undulating flight.
Gila Woodpecker Body Illustration
● Range & 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.
BreedingMonogamous, Solitary nester
PopulationDeclining
MigrationSome migrate
Weight2.5 Ounces