Gila Woodpecker Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesGila Woodpecker
Male
Barred black-and-white woodpecker with a tan head and belly. Males have a red crown patch.
© Thomas Anderson / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 23, 2017Female
Barred black-and-white woodpecker with a tan head and belly. Females lack the red crown patch seen on males.
© terence zahner / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 05, 2017Male
A desert woodpecker commonly found on saguaro cactus.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryArizonaMale
Barred black-and-white woodpecker with a tan head and belly. Males have a red crown patch.
© terence zahner / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 05, 2017Male
Found in deserts of southwestern U.S. and western Mexico. Often eats saguaro cactus fruits. Males have a red crown patch.
© Anne (Webster) Leight / Macaulay LibraryArizona, June 04, 2017Male
Found in deserts of southwestern U.S. and western Mexico including urban areas, where it often visits feeders.
© Arlene Ripley / Macaulay LibraryArizona, March 18, 2017Male and female
Barred black-and-white woodpecker with a tan belly and head. Males have a red crown patch that females lack. Nests in holes in cacti and desert trees.
© Tresa Moulton / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 14, 2011Male
Nests in holes in saguaro cacti and desert trees.
© Richard Fray / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 21, 2017Similar SpeciesGolden-fronted Woodpecker
Male (Northern)
Golden-fronted Woodpeckers have a yellow-orange nape unlike Gila Woodpeckers, which have a clean tan nape. In flight, Golden-fronted have white rumps while Gila Woodpeckers have a barred rump. Note range differences.
© Becca Engdahl / Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 17, 2017Similar SpeciesGilded Flicker
Male
Gilded Flickers have a spotted belly and black chest unlike the clean tan breast seen on Gila Woodpeckers. In flight, Gilded Flickers have yellow underwings that Gila Woodpeckers lack.
© David Hollie / Macaulay LibraryArizona, June 05, 2015Similar SpeciesGilded Flicker
Female
Female Gilded Flickers have a browner cap than Gila Woodpeckers and spotting on the breast. In flight, Gilded Flickers have yellow underwings that Gila Woodpeckers lack.
© Glenn Kincaid / Macaulay LibraryArizona, December 22, 2015Similar SpeciesNorthern Flicker
Male (Red-shafted)
Northern Flickers have a spotted belly and black chest unlike the clean tan breast seen on Gila Woodpeckers.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryNevada, October 08, 2015Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Woodpeckers(Order: Piciformes, Family: Picidae)
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