Bird of the Week

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Bird of the Week: CLXVIII

Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis

  • ORDER: Piciformes
  • FAMILY: Picidae
  • SIZE: The adult is 8 to 10 inches long (20-25 cm) and weights 3.5 oz (68 gm).

We have several Gila Woodpeckers in our backyard. The males (photo above) have a patch of bright red feathers on top of their heads, while the females do not.

I had to get rid of my hummingbird feeder because the Gila Woodpeckers would attach themselves to it and drain it in an hour. The hummingbirds never got a chance.

Normally, they eat insects, berries and cactus fruit. They also like the birdseed I put out for my backyard birds.

They live in the deserts of the southwest US and Mexico. They make their nests in Saguaro cactus digging out a hole and allowing it to dry out for several months before moving in. That makes a solid casing around the nest.

This is a saguaro in our back yard with several nests made by Gila Woodpeckers. After they are done raising their young, they abandon their nest and other birds will claim the cavity nest as their own. Those birds include elf and pygmy owls, flycatchers, Cactus Wrens and other species.

Here are a male and female hanging out on a tree. Gila Woodpeckers are monogamous and mate for life. They have strong head and neck muscles so they are able to withstand the shock of pounding their bills into trees and other materials. Often we hear them pecking the metal top to our fireplace.

With their black and white zebra striped back and their loud call, they are easy to spot or hear.

Here are recordings of their call from All About Birds: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gila_Woodpecker/sounds

The birds in my backyard use the pink flamingo as a perch.

43 thoughts on “Bird of the Week”

  1. Your getting to be quite the birdwatcher, with all your facts and info. Thanks for improving my bird brain. These woodpeckers look similar to ours, mainly with the speckled wings. But I’m not sure if ours get a red patch on their heads. Now I’m going to have to start watching, to find out.

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    • I’ve joined a weekly challenge called Bird of the Week to present my photos and bird facts on WP. A blogger named bushboy from Australia who is a photographer suggested I try it. I will until I run out of birds! The ones that look similar without the red patch are Gilded Flickers.

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  3. I’m sorry you had to remove the hummingbird feeder, I have seen woodpeckers on my hummer feeder twice and always step outside and chase them away. I heard a woodpecker hammering away at the metal fireplace exhaust once too, it was loud in the living room! My sis said the woodpecker was a Ladder Back.

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    • The Gila and Ladder Back are different species. The Ladder Back is smaller and has different markings on its face but they both have black and white backs. The Gilded Flicker has a similar back, too, but not a red topped head. I haven’t seen a Ladder Back but I googled it. I don’t miss the hummingbird feeder. The Gila Woodpeckers were a pain and they knocked it down. I see hummingbirds visiting flowers.

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  5. So sweet! I hadn’t realize they are monogamous and mate for life. I’m really enjoying all the fun facts.

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    • I’m glad you enjoyed it. My husband asked me that question when I had him look at my post. I looked it up and found out yes they do mate for life. So I added that in because of his question.

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    • I’m glad I’m introducing you to new birds. We’ve been in Arizona for five years after moving from California. Most of the birds are ones I didn’t see there, even though we’re only four hours away.

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  8. Wonderful photos Elizabeth. Fascinating birds. Their call would let you know they are around. I like their cactus apartment in your yard.

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    • Thanks! Yes that is a cactus apartment in our yard. There’s another saguaro that has babies in it. I see the parents going in and out, but I only see them with a tail sticking out, so I’m not sure who it is.

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  9. Those are all gray photos! I had to get a couple new hummingbird feeders this week. The slits in them are so small, I’m not even certain the hummers can get their beaks through them, just their tongues! I think that will put an end to the orioles drinking the hummer nectar. Maybe it will work for the woodpecker, too.

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    • Eileen Lyon commented here that she thinks she found a hummingbird feeder that will only allow hummingbirds to use it. I’ll see how it works for her. I do have hummingbirds I see at flowers out my window every day, too.

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