Tree Clinging

Gila Woodpecker

Melanerpes uropygialis

Length: 10 in. (24 cm )

A desert species, the Gila Woodpecker makes nest holes in Saguaro cactus, riparian trees and buildings. These holes are often used by many other cavity nesting birds that can not make their own holes. This woodpecker adjusts readily to humans and is common in desert cities and suburbs. It feeds on insects, fruit and berries, and has been known to eat bird eggs.

The four-digit banding code is GIWO.

Female | Barb Winterfield

Male | Jim Burns

Desert

Riparian / River forest

Urban city

Download Sound

Bird Sound Type: Buzzing
Sex of Bird: Male

Sonogram Large:

Sonogram Zoom:

Download Sound

Bird Sound Type: Buzzing
Sex of Bird: Male

Sonogram Large:

Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

Article: Gila Woodpecker
Author(s): Dr. Biology
Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
Date published: July 13, 2017
Date accessed: August 23, 2019
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/gila-woodpecker

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, July 13). Gila Woodpecker. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved August 23, 2019 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/gila-woodpecker

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Gila Woodpecker". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 July, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/gila-woodpecker

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Gila Woodpecker". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 23 Aug 2019. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/gila-woodpecker

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

Illustration of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

Why is Rudolph's nose red?

Answer >>

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Contribute