Bird Guide

Gila Woodpecker vs Red-headed Woodpecker

Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis)

Gila Woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialis

Medium65 gShrubland

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 birds 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. The birds range from 8–10 in (20–25 cm) in length. This woodpecker's voice is a rolling churr sound. It also makes a yip yip yip sound and a kee-u, kee-u, kee-u sound. Its drum is long and steady.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren · CC BY 2.0
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

Red-headed Woodpecker

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Medium72 gForest

Adults are distinctly tricolored, with a black back and tail, a white belly and rump, and a red head and neck. The wings are black with white secondary remiges. Adult males and females are identical in plumage. Juveniles have similar markings, but their heads are grey. Red-headed woodpeckers are entirely crimson above their shoulders. These are mid-sized woodpeckers. Both sexes measure from 19 to 25 cm (7.5 to 9.8 in) in length, with a wingspan of 42.5 cm (16.7 in). They weigh from 56 to 97 g (2.0 to 3.4 oz), with an average of 76 g (2.7 oz). Each wing measures 12.7–15 cm (5.0–5.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Red-headed Woodpecker
Recorded by Jonathon Jongsma · Call · Four Mile Draw Rd, Custer State Park, South Dakota, United States · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Menke · Public domain

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Gila Woodpecker and Red-headed Woodpecker.