Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
The Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) is a common woodpecker found in 2 countries, weighing about 65 g. The Gila woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the desert regions of the southwestern United States and western Mexico.
About the Gila Woodpecker
The Gila woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the desert regions of the southwestern United States and western Mexico. In the U.S., they range through southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Gila Woodpecker can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Gila Woodpecker?
- The back and wings of this bird are spotted and barred with a black and white zebra-like pattern. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Gila Woodpecker?
- The Gila Woodpecker is a medium sized bird weighing about 65 g.
- Where can you see a Gila Woodpecker?
- The Gila Woodpecker occurs in 2 countries, including the United States and Mexico.
- What birds look similar to a Gila Woodpecker?
- The Gila Woodpecker is most easily confused with the Golden-fronted Woodpecker, the Red-crowned Woodpecker and the Hoffmann's Woodpecker.
- Is the Gila Woodpecker endangered?
- The Gila Woodpecker is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Gila Woodpecker for real
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