Arizona Woodpecker

The Arizona Woodpecker is notable as the only woodpecker in the United States with a solid brown back, rather than the black-and-white pattern typical of most North American species. Its underparts are white with bold brown spotting on the flanks, and males show a red patch on the nape.

This species is a Mexican specialty that barely reaches the United States, found in a limited range of oak-lined mountain canyons in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, part of the region's famous 'sky island' bird diversity.

Key Field Marks

• Solid brown back and wings, unique among U.S. woodpeckers
• White underparts with bold brown spotting on the flanks
• Brown-and-white striped face
• Males have a red nape patch; females lack it

Similar Species

• Hairy Woodpecker and Downy Woodpecker, which co-occur in the same oak canyons, both show black-and-white barred or striped backs, not solid brown, making the Arizona Woodpecker readily distinguishable.

Habitat

This species inhabits evergreen oak and oak-pine woodlands in mountain canyons, typically between about 1,500 and 2,500 meters elevation.

Range

In the United States it is found only in the 'sky island' mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona (such as the Chiricahuas and Huachucas) and extreme southwestern New Mexico; its range extends south through the Sierra Madre of Mexico.

Migration

Arizona Woodpeckers are non-migratory residents, remaining in oak canyon habitat year-round.

Behavior

This woodpecker forages by gleaning and probing bark on oak trunks and limbs for insects, moving methodically along branches, and occasionally visits feeders in its limited U.S. range.

Voice

Calls include a sharp, squeaky peek note and rattling calls; drumming is soft and infrequent compared to other woodpeckers.

Feeding

Diet consists mainly of insects, particularly beetle larvae and ants extracted from oak bark, supplemented with acorns and other plant material.

Nesting

Pairs excavate a nest cavity in a dead oak limb or snag; both parents incubate the 3-4 white eggs and feed the young.