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Gila Woodpecker
ExploreBirds
Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
The Gila Woodpecker is a fun bird that loves to drum on trees and cacti! With its bright colors and unique sounds, it's a cheerful part of the desert landscape.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The Gila Woodpecker is a medium-sized bird with a pale tan body and striking black and white barring on its wings and tail. Males sport a distinctive red patch on the crown of their head. This unique pattern helps it blend into desert environments.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPiciformesFamilyPicidaeGenusMelanerpes
Category
BirdsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A male Gila Woodpecker signals his territory by loudly drumming on trees!
Baby Gila Woodpeckers are called "fledglings" after they leave their cozy nests!
These smart birds create homes in cacti that other desert animals later use!
They love to eat juicy cactus fruits and even sip nectar from desert flowers!
Special abilities
Ability
Cactus Carpenter
Gila Woodpecker can carve nests and roost holes into saguaro cacti because of its strong beak, providing shelter.
Ability
Desert Dweller
Gila Woodpecker has an ability to thrive in hot desert environments because its diet includes cactus fruit for moisture.
Ability
Sticky Snatcher
Gila Woodpecker can extract insects from deep crevices because its long, barbed, and sticky tongue helps it grab prey.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 20-25 cm
- Wingspan
- 40-45 cm
- Weight
- 0.05-0.09 kg
- Lifespan
- 6-10 years
- Top Speed
- 35 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 3-5
- Incubation
- 11-14 days
Diet & Feeding
A desert omnivore, it enjoys insects, fruits, seeds, and even nectar from plants for energy and hydration.
Primary Foods
- insects
- cactus fruits
- berries
- seeds
- nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
shelters
Saguaro Cactus
Carnegiea gigantea
Nests and roosts inside
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
Prey for desert hawks
depends on
Honey Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa
Eats seeds and uses for perching
eats
Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia engelmannii
Consumes its sweet fruit
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Insectivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch from a distance and don't disturb their nests in trees or cacti.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Gila Woodpecker?
20-25 cm
What is Gila Woodpecker's wingspan?
40-45 cm
How much does Gila Woodpecker weigh?
0.05-0.09 kg
How long does Gila Woodpecker live?
6-10 years
How fast can Gila Woodpecker move?
35 km/h
What does Gila Woodpecker eat?
A desert omnivore, it enjoys insects, fruits, seeds, and even nectar from plants for energy and hydration.
Where is Gila Woodpecker usually found?
Desert
How does Gila Woodpecker hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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