Gila Woodpecker

The Gila Woodpecker is one of the most familiar birds of the Sonoran Desert, closely associated with saguaro cactus for both nesting and foraging. Its plain gray-tan head and underparts contrast with a crisply barred black-and-white back and wings, making it easy to identify even at a distance.

It readily nests in saguaro cavities, and its old nest holes are reused by many other desert species once the woodpeckers move on, making it an important part of the desert cavity-nesting community.

• Head and underparts: plain gray-tan, without patterning
• Back and wings: bold black-and-white barring
• Crown: males show a small red patch; females lack it entirely
• Rump: white patch visible in flight
• Vs. Golden-fronted Woodpecker: Gila Woodpecker lacks the golden-yellow nape and nasal patches shown by Golden-fronted Woodpecker, appearing plainer overall on the head

Males show a small red patch on the crown; females have a plain gray-tan crown without red. Juveniles resemble adults but are duller, with young males showing a less distinct red crown patch. The species has a single annual molt following breeding.

Resident throughout the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, southeastern California, and northwestern Mexico, strongly associated with saguaro cactus as well as desert riparian woodland and urban desert landscaping. It does not migrate and remains in its desert range year-round.

Forages on cactus, mesquite, and other desert vegetation for insects, and also eats cactus fruit, nectar, and bird feeder offerings in developed areas. It excavates nest cavities in saguaro cacti as well as in trees, with these holes later reused by numerous other desert-dwelling species. Its calls include a loud, rolling chatter, and it drums readily on resonant surfaces including metal objects.