Gila woodpecker

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. Cavities excavated by these woodpeckers in saguaro cacti are later used by a variety of other species, including the Elf Owl. There, they typically lay 3-5 white eggs.

The Gila woodpecker is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

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. Illustration Contents - * 1 Habitat * 2 Description * 3 Trivia * 4 References * 4. More

* The Gila woodpecker makes its home wherever one is available. It does seem to prefer houses and saguaro cacti. References - * BirdLife International (2004). Melanerpes uropygialis. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern * Melanerpes uropygialis (TSN 178198). More

Gila Woodpecker is a characteristic bird of the saguaro cactus forests. More

16 inches, the Gila woodpecker can be found in deserts, brushy woodlands and urban parks from the American southwest to west-central Mexico. It feeds primarily on insects, cactus fruit and berries. Although they do not use them immediately, waiting first for the sap to harden, Gila woodpeckers excavate cavities in cacti and trees as nesting sites. Females typically lay two broods a year of 3 to 5 eggs, which incubate for 14 days. More

Both male and female gila woodpeckers have a brown face, black and white zebra striped back, and white wing patches that are visible during flight. Adult males have a red cap of feathers on the top of their head. Adaptations Woodpeckers have very strong head and neck muscles so they are able to withstand the shock of pecking into trees and other materials. They have a long pointed beak as well as a long sticky tongue with a bristle-like tip. More

The Gila Woodpecker was added to the California State Endangered List in 1988 (CDFG 2008). Previous surveys have placed the California population between 200 individuals (Hunter 1984) and less than 30 pair (Laymon and Halterman 1986). The Gila Woodpecker is currently not listed as endangered or threatened in Arizona nor Mexico. DISTRIBUTION: Generally permanent resident where found. More

Bent Life History for the Gila Woodpecker - the common name and sub-species reflect the nomenclature in use at the time the description was written. GILA WOODPECKER CENTURUS UROPYGIALIS UROPYGIALIS Baird HABITS In the desert regions of our southwestern borders, this gay little woodpecker is one of the commonest, noisiest, and most conspicuous birds, always much in evidence, and always seeming to protest, in whining tones, the int.rusion of strangers. More

The Gila Woodpecker is considered to be Least Concern at this time. This rating has been granted as a result of the stable population and large range of the Gila Woodpecker. The previous rating of this bird was Lower Risk in 2000. The Gila Woodpecker is native to the United States and Mexico. The population of this bird species is believed to exceed 3 million individual birds. More

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. More

Range: The Gila Woodpecker breeds in the desert regions of southern Arizona, Baja California, and western Mexico. These woodpeckers are year-round residents. Habitat: The Gila Woodpecker lives in desert regions populated with large cacti. It will also visit parks and residential neighborhoods. Status: The Gila woodpecker is common, but has recently experienced some declines due to increased competition with European Starlings. Animals Index: mrnussbaum.com copyright 2005-2006 by Greg Nussbaum. More

Gila WoodpeckerMelanerpes uropygialis Order PICIFORMES – Family PICIDAE Issue No. 532 Authors: Edwards, Holly H., and Gary D. Schnell * Articles * Multimedia * References Courtesy Preview This Introductory article that you are viewing is a courtesy preview of the full life history account of this species. The remaining articles (Distribution, Habitat, Behavior, etc. More

NATURAL HISTORY: Although Gila Woodpeckers are one of the primary excavators of cavities in saguaros (along with Gilded Flickers), they also are one of the primary dispersers of saguaro seeds (along with House Finches and White-winged Doves). Saguaro cavities excavated by Gila Woodpeckers usually do not cause serious damage to the saguaro because they do not peck through the internal ribs of the saguaro; however, flickers do peck through the ribs and may cause damage (and occasionally death) to saguaros. More

As mentioned earlier, Gila Woodpeckers feed on saguaro fruits, but their diet is quite varied, including insects, other cactus fruits, and even mistletoe berries. They even frequent hummingbird feeders and will steal dog food. More

Gila Woodpecker in Fountain Hills. From the photographer: "The Gila Woodpecker squawks very loud when the Hawks are around. He also throws all the food he doesn't like on the ground from the feeder. He is a picky eater. More

The Gila woodpecker, named after the river where it was first discovered, is a year-round resident in southern Arizona. This robin-sized woodpecker is common in Sonoran desert areas as well as in lowland riparian areas such as Patagonia-Sonoita creek and the San Pedro river. Though it is typically pictured drilling holes in saguaro cactus, it has adapted well to other habitats including to cottonwood, willow, sycamore, and ash for nesting. (It seems to avoid mesquite as too hard to penetrate. More

Range of the Gila Woodpecker during breeding season, based on Breeding Bird Survey data. Map from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Gough, G.A., Sauer, J.R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. Additional Web Resources - The Avian Knowledge Network collects data from thousands of locations and multiple data sets. The Birds of North America web site has excellent distribution information, annual membership required. More

Gila Woodpecker: Resident in southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Preferred habitats include low desert scrub with saguaro or mesquite trees for nesting. Breeding and Nesting Gila Woodpecker: Three to five white eggs are laid in a hole in a giant saguaro cactus or tree. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents. Foraging and Feeding Gila Woodpecker: Eats insects, bird eggs, fruits, and berries. More

like the Gila Woodpecker, tall cacti are available for nesting in. A number of species are adapted to spending a portion of their time feeding on the ground, and a very small minority of species have abandoned trees entirely and nest in holes in the ground. The Ground Woodpecker is one such species, inhabiting the rocky and grassy hills of South Africa. Picidae species can either be sedentary or migratory. More

The eight-and-one-quarter-inch-long Gila woodpecker – more reserved in its costume than the acorn woodpecker – has a tan head, throat, breast and belly. It has black and white bars across its back and wings. It has black and white bars across the central feathers of its otherwise black tail. The male wears a red crown. The more demure female wears none. Both the male and female have a white wing patch that distinguishes the bird in flight. More