Gila Woodpecker

Photo by George Wall

There are 15 species in the woodpecker family that can be found in Arizona. They are Acorn, Arizona, Downy, Gila, Hairy, Ladder-backed, Lewis’s, Three-toed, Red-breasted (rare), Red-headed (rare), Gilded Flicker, Northern Flicker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson’s Sapsucker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. If you’ve seen them all in Arizona, you are doing well. This month, the focus is on the Gila Woodpecker.

Description:  This is a medium sized woodpecker about 9 ¼ inches in length. They have a plain brown breast and head; however, the male has a red cap. The back and underpants near the tail are barred with white and black.  

Habitat:  These are low elevation desert birds and like large woody plants like cottonwoods and saguaro cactus.

Diet:  Insects, fruit (especially cactus), bird eggs and acorns.   

Range:  Mid Arizona down deep into Mexico, SW edge of New Mexico and SE corner of California.  

Breeding:  They are monogamous and like to build their nest in a Saguaro, but it typically does not use it for several months. Drying time is required for the inner pulp of the cactus to form a solid casing around the cavity. The female usually lays 3-5 eggs and may produce 2-3 broods if food is abundant.

Interesting Facts:  They will loudly bang on metal chimneys and pipes to declare their territories and to attract mates. They can live as long as ten years in captivity, but much less in the wild. The dried hole of a Saguaro nest if taken out is called a boot.