Gila Woodpecker

What do Gila Woodpeckers look like

Gila Woodpeckers are attractive birds with bold, contrasting plumage. Unlike most species in their family, they are not predominantly black and white.

Adult Gila Woodpeckers have uniform tan-brown underparts, heads, and necks. Their wings and back are black with conspicuous white barring. Prominent white markings are visible on the ends of each wing in flight. Their bill and eyes are black, and their legs and feet are dark blueish or greenish.

Females are very similar to males, although they have all-brown heads, whereas males have a small but distinct red crown. Juveniles are similar to adults, although generally duller.

You’re unlikely to confuse the Gila Woodpecker for any other species in Arizona, but their range does overlap with the Golden-fronted Woodpecker (M. aurifrons) in Central Mexico. That species has orange and yellow head markings and paler grayish underparts. Flickers (Colaptes spp.) have a similar color but are much larger and have spotted underparts, brown backs, and colorful wings in flight.

How big are Gila Woodpeckers

Gila Woodpeckers are a medium-sized species similar in size to the widespread Hairy Woodpecker.

Length

Most adults measure 8 to 10 inches or 22 to 25 centimeters long. Males and females are similar in size.

Weight

Their weight ranges between about 1¾ and 2¾ ounces or 50 to 80 grams.

Wingspan

Adults have a 16 to 17-inch wingspan (40 - 43 cm).

What sound does a Gila Woodpecker make?

Gila Woodpeckers are noisy birds that call and drum to communicate. Typical calls by both males and females include repeated yipping and a rolling ‘churr-churr-churr.’

What is the habitat of a Gila Woodpecker?

Gila Woodpeckers are desert birds. They are closely associated with the giant saguaro cactus but also visit suburban areas and wooded water courses.

What is the range of a Gila Woodpecker?

Gila Woodpeckers are restricted to North America. Most of their range falls within western Mexico, although they also occur in the Southwest of the United States. They are widespread in Southern Arizona and occur marginally in neighboring California and New Mexico.

Where do Gila Woodpeckers live?

Gila Woodpeckers are most at home among the spines of the Saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), a giant species that can reach 40 feet tall. They will also forage among other trees and plants or catch prey down on the ground.

How rare are Gila Woodpeckers?

Gila Woodpeckers are common in suitable habitats, although they have a very restricted range in the United States.

Where can you see Gila Woodpeckers in the US?

Arizona is the best place to see Gila Woodpeckers in the United States. The Saguaro National Park is a great place to spot them, although they are widespread in the Sonoran Desert.

Do Gila Woodpeckers migrate?

Gila Woodpeckers are non-migratory, although some birds make short seasonal movements in the winter. You can usually find these birds in suitable habitats at any time of the year.

Are Gila Woodpeckers native to the US?

Gila Woodpeckers are native to the United States, although most of their range lies to the south in Mexico.

• Look for Gila Woodpeckers near saguaro cacti in desert areas
• Listen for their distinctive 'churr' call, which can help locate them
• Observe palm trees and wooden structures in urban areas, as they often nest in these
• Watch for their undulating flight pattern, typical of woodpeckers

What do Gila Woodpeckers eat?

Gila Woodpeckers are omnivores that eat a variety of plant and animal foods, including:

• Insects
• Worms
• Bird eggs and hatchlings
• Fruits and berries
• Suet and other birdfeeder offerings

What do Gila Woodpecker chicks eat?

Gila Woodpecker chicks eat similar foods to their parents, including insects and fruits. The young are ready to leave the nest after about a month but will be fed by their parents for much longer.

Where do Gila Woodpeckers nest?

Gila Woodpeckers typically nest in the stem of the saguaro cactus, although they will also use other species like mesquites (Prosopis) and cottonwoods (Populus). A paired male and female will work together to excavate a foot-long chamber with a two-inch entrance hole, usually high above the ground.

When do Gila Woodpeckers nest?

Gila Woodpeckers breed in the spring and summer. Their nesting season runs from April to August, and pairs may have a second or even third brood in good years.

What do Gila Woodpecker eggs look like?

Gila Woodpeckers lay three to six plain white eggs, each measuring about an inch long and three-quarters of an inch across (25 x 19 mm).

Are Gila Woodpeckers aggressive?

Gila Woodpeckers are highly aggressive when nesting and do not tolerate other birds near their nest. Males are particularly protective and will chase and attack many other species of birds, as well as their own kind.

Where do Gila Woodpeckers sleep at night?

Gila Woodpeckers roost in cavities that they excavate in cacti and trees.

How long do Gila Woodpeckers live?

Gila Woodpeckers can live for about ten years in captivity. However, the oldest wild specimen on record lived for nearly eight years.

What are the predators of Gila Woodpeckers?

Little is known about the Gila Woodpecker’s predators. However, they are probably vulnerable to many desert carnivores, including birds of prey like hawks and owls, mammals like coyotes, and larger snakes.

Are Gila Woodpeckers protected?

Gila Woodpeckers are federally protected in the United States by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Are Gila Woodpeckers endangered?

Gila Woodpeckers are not endangered as a species. Their population shows a stable trend, and they are assessed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List.

While currently listed as Least Concern, Gila Woodpeckers face challenges from habitat loss due to urban development and agricultural expansion in their desert habitats.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving saguaro cactus forests and educating homeowners about the importance of maintaining native vegetation.