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;[[:Category:Melanerpes|Melanerpes]] uropygialis | ;[[:Category:Melanerpes|Melanerpes]] uropygialis | ||
| − | [[Image:Gila_Woodpeckerbobmoose.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Gila_Woodpeckerbobmoose.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|bobmoose|bobmoose}}<br>Male<br>Location:San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, [[Mexico]]]] |
| − | [[Image:Gila_Woodpecker_(F)UncleGus_24.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Gila_Woodpecker_(F)UncleGus_24.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|UncleGus_24|UncleGus_24}}<br>Female<br>Location:Green Valley, AZ, [[USA]]]] |
Revision as of 08:45, 4 July 2012
- Melanerpes uropygialis
UncleGus_24.jpg)
Identification
Length 20-25cm, wingspan 38-46cm. Light brown breast and head, red crown on adult male, lacking in female. This is the only barred-back woodpecker in its range.
Similar Species
Very similar in appearance to Golden-fronted Woodpecker, but distinguished by barred tail and range.
Distribution
A woodpecker primarily of the Sonoran desert. SE California, where numbers are decreasing; southern Arizona southward into western Mexico, including Baja California.
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognized:[1]
- M. u. uropygialis - sw US to central Mexico
- M. u. cardonensis - N. Baja California
- M. u. brewsteri - S. Baja California
Habitat
Solitary nester in holes it drills in mesquite trees and saguaro cacti.
Behaviour
Primarily insectivorous; will visit feeders (meat, suet, fruit). Noisy and conspicious, with loud abrasive call.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
