Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
The adult Gila woodpecker lives in arid scrub, desert washes, towns, and saguaro cactus habitats of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It flies between perches, hammers cavities for nesting, and probes bark, cactus tissue, and fruiting plants for insects, fruit, nectar, and seeds. Adults use loud calls, drumming, pecking, and aerial chases in territorial disputes. A notable fact is that its excavated cactus nest holes are later used by many other desert animals.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
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- Gila Woodpecker