Breeding Location:
Desert, Grasslands, Desert, semi
Breeding Type:
Monogamous, Solitary nester
Breeding Population:
Declining
Egg Color:
White
Number of Eggs:
3 - 5
Incubation Days:
12 - 14
Egg Incubator:
Both sexes
Nest Material:
In saguaro cactus with little lining.
Migration:
Some migrate
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Overview
Gila Woodpecker: Medium woodpecker, black-and-white barred upperparts and central tail feathers, buff-gray neck and underparts. Buff-gray head has a small red cap. Wings have large white patches visible in flight. Its abandoned nesting and roost holes provide shelter for birds, mammals and reptiles.
Range and Habitat
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.
Readily Eats
Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit
Vocalization
Gila Woodpecker: Song is a rolling "churrrrrr."
Similar Species
Gila Woodpecker: Red-bellied Woodpecker (both parents) has extensive red on the head and nape, and paler underparts. Golden-fronted Woodpecker shows yellow on head, is paler below, and has dark, unmarked, central tail feathers.
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