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GALLERIES > BIRDS > PICIFORMES > PICIDAE > GILA WOODPECKER [Melanerpes uropygialis]


Gila Woodpecker Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, AZ
GPS: 31.4N, -110.2W, elev=5,308' MAP
Date: April 30, 2023
ID : B13K2830 [4896 x 3264]

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Gila Woodpecker Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Arivaca, AZ
GPS: 31.6N, -111.3W, elev=3,624' MAP
Date: August 23, 2008
ID : 7C2V7461 [3888 x 2592]

Gila Woodpecker Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary, AZ
GPS: 31.4N, -110.3W, elev=5,533' MAP
Date: July 30, 2009
ID : 7C2V0561 [3888 x 2592]

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Gila Woodpecker Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Gilbert, (Gilbert Water Ranch), AZ
GPS: 33.4N, -111.7W, elev=1,285' MAP
Date: January 22, 2023
ID : B13K2249 [4896 x 3264]

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Gila Woodpecker Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Superior, AZ (Boyce Thompson Arboretum)
GPS: 33.3N, -111.2W, elev=2,373' MAP
Date: November 29, 2009
ID : 7C2V4861 [3888 x 2592]

Gila Woodpecker Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Madera Canyon, AZ
GPS: 31.7N, -110.9W, elev=4,953' MAP
Date: June 4, 2007
ID : ? [3888 x 2592]

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SPECIES INFO

The Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) is a medium-sized woodpecker of the desert regions of the southwestern United States. They range through southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The back and wings of this bird are spotted and barred with a black and white zebra-like pattern. The neck, throat, belly and head are greyish-tan in color. The male has a small red cap on the top of the head. Females and juveniles are similar, but both lack the red cap of the adult male. White wing patches are prominent in flight. The dark tail has white bars on the central tail feathers. They range from 8-10 in (20-25 cm) in length.

This woodpecker's habitat consists of low desert scrub typical of the Sonoran desert. They build nests in holes made in saguaro cacti or mesquite trees. There, they typically lay 3-5 white eggs.

This woodpecker's voice is a rolling churr sound.

The Gila woodpecker makes its home wherever one is readily accessible. It does seem to prefer houses and saguaro cactuses. It also stores nuts in palm trees.




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gila_woodpecker's Range Map Click here to see the Gila Woodpecker's range map!
Listen to the Gila Woodpecker Call:



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