Merlin
Browse all birds

Arizona Woodpecker Identification

Arizona Woodpecker Female
Female

Brown-and-white woodpecker that is barred brown-and-white in front and solid brown on the back. Females do not have a red patch at the back of the head.

© Griffin Richards | Macaulay LibraryArizona, December 22, 2015
Arizona Woodpecker Male
Male

The only solidly brown-backed woodpecker in the United States. Males have a small patch of red at the back of the head.

© Laurens Halsey | Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 10, 2008
Arizona Woodpecker Male
Male

Excavates a hole, often in a dead tree, where they raise the young. Males and females bring larvae and other insects to the nestlings.

© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryArizona, January 01, 2006
Arizona Woodpecker Female
Female

Spotted and barred brown and white below and solid brown above. Note brown cheek patch. Females lack red on the head.

© Chris Rohrer | Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 06, 2016
Arizona Woodpecker Male
Male

Found in pine–oak woodlands from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico and along Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental.

© Babs Buck | Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 20, 2016
See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

Click on an image to compare

Looking for ID Help?

Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds.

Try Merlin Bird ID

Adult Description

  • Medium-sized woodpecker.
  • Brown and white.
  • Back solid brown.

Immature Description

Juveniles of both sexes have red on crown. Red feathering is less extensive than on adult male.
Relative Size

Relative Sizerobin sizedrobin-sized
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 7.1-7.9 in (18-20 cm)
    • Weight: 1.2-1.8 oz (34-51 g)
    • Wingspan: 14.2 in (36 cm)

Species in This Family

Woodpeckers(Order: Piciformes, Family:Picidae)

Williamson's SapsuckerWilliamson's Sapsucker
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerYellow-bellied Sapsucker
Red-naped SapsuckerRed-naped Sapsucker
Red-breasted SapsuckerRed-breasted Sapsucker
Lewis's WoodpeckerLewis's Woodpecker
Red-headed WoodpeckerRed-headed Woodpecker
Acorn WoodpeckerAcorn Woodpecker
Gila WoodpeckerGila Woodpecker
Golden-fronted WoodpeckerGolden-fronted Woodpecker
Red-bellied WoodpeckerRed-bellied Woodpecker
American Three-toed WoodpeckerAmerican Three-toed Woodpecker
Black-backed WoodpeckerBlack-backed Woodpecker
Downy WoodpeckerDowny Woodpecker
Nuttall's WoodpeckerNuttall's Woodpecker
Ladder-backed WoodpeckerLadder-backed Woodpecker
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerRed-cockaded Woodpecker
Hairy WoodpeckerHairy Woodpecker
White-headed WoodpeckerWhite-headed Woodpecker
Arizona WoodpeckerArizona Woodpecker
Ivory-billed WoodpeckerIvory-billed Woodpecker
Pileated WoodpeckerPileated Woodpecker
Northern FlickerNorthern Flicker
Gilded FlickerGilded Flicker

Browse Species in This Family

More to Read