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Help develop a Bird ID tool!

Gila Woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialis ORDER: PICIFORMES FAMILY: PICIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A conspicuous resident in the deserts of the Southwest and Mexico, the Gila Woodpecker is a characteristic bird of the saguaro cactus forests.

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Appearance

Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Medium- to large-sized woodpecker.
  • Back barred black-and-white.
  • Brown face and neck.
  • Male with red cap.

Immature Description

Juvenile is similar to adult, but duller and with restricted red on head of male.

Range Map Help

Gila Woodpecker Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult male
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    Gila Woodpecker

    Adult male
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Tucson, Arizona, April 2000
  • Adult female
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    Gila Woodpecker

    Adult female
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Tucson, Arizona, April 2000
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Gila Woodpecker

    Adult male
    • In U.S., occurs mainly in southern Arizona
    • Horizontally barred black-and-white back
    • Head mostly plain brown
    • Male has red crown patch
    • © Joan Gellatly, Tucson, Arizona, December 2008
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Gila Woodpecker

    Adult female
    • Often seen on saguaro cactus
    • Horizontally barred black-and-white back
    • Barred central tail feathers and rump
    • Female has unmarked brown head
    • © GarretB, Tucson, Arizona, May 2009
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Gila Woodpecker

    Adult female
    • Female has unmarked brown head
    • Horizontally barred black-and-white back
    • Barred central tail feathers and rump
    • © William Kendall/PFW, Tucson, Arizona, November 2007

Similar Species

  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Williamson's Sapsucker

    Adult female
    • Range overlaps with Gila, but found in mountains
    • Much more barring on flanks and nape
    • White, unbarred rump
    • Black band on breast
    • © Vicki Blitz, Okanogan, Washington, March 2009
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Northern Flicker

    Adult female
    • Barred back is black and brown, not black and white
    • Underparts strongly marked with black
    • Gray head with brown through eyes, instead of uniform gray-brown
    • Conspicuous white rump patch instead of barred rump
    • © Darin Ziegler, Colorado Springs, Colorado, February 2009

Similar Species