Gila woodpeckers are about 8-10 inches tall and weigh 3.5 ounces.1 They are loud birds and are found in desert habitats. They like to nest in saguaro cactus and mesquite trees.2 Within the United States, you can find them in California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Outside the United States, they can be found in Central Mexico.1
These birds reproduce multiple times a year and females can lay up to 6 eggs at a time. Males and females share the responsibility of incubating the eggs for two weeks.3 When these birds make their cavity nests and after they stop using them, they become nests for other animals.2 For example, kestrels or even owls.3
Gila woodpeckers eat a variety of things, including:1&3
- Fruit
- Insects
- Berries
- Nectar
- Seeds
- Eggs
- Lizards
In turn, they are preyed upon by:1
- Coyotes
- Foxes
- Snakes
- Cats
- Hawks
These birds can face risks from certain aspects of climate change. For example, drought or bad wildfires that occur frequently without habitats having recovery time in between can negatively affect them.3
Have you checked out our Dissect It Frog Super Lab yet?
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