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Gila Woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialis

Description:

8-10" (20-25 cm). Barred with black and white above; buff below and on neck and head. Male has small red cap. Female and juvenile similar, but lack red cap. White wing patches are prominent in flight.

Habitat:

Sweetwater Wetlands

Notes:

The Gila Woodpecker is a characteristic bird of the Sonoran Desert. Like the Elf Owl and the "Gilded Flicker," it nests in holes in giant saguaro cacti.

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3 Comments

James McNair
James McNair 9 years ago

Ah that makes sense...thank you for the education as well as the gorgeous images

joanbstanley
joanbstanley 9 years ago

It is named after the Gila River in Arizona.

James McNair
James McNair 9 years ago

Lovely, how does it come by its name?

joanbstanley
Spotted by
joanbstanley

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Spotted on Nov 3, 2014
Submitted on Dec 19, 2014

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