Gila Woodpecker

24 cm (9") Fairly common in southwestern United States. Cactus country, towns, streamside woods.

Back is barred black and white. Male has a red cap, female lacks this red cap.

Drills holes in giant cactus, cottonwood trees, mesquite.

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Credit: Stoil Ivanov

Credit: Mike's Birds

Credit: Andy Sewell

Gila Woodpecker distribution map

Melanerpes uropygialis