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Woodpeckers are one of the most enthralling avians you could find in your backyard – and did you have a go at it that there are15 species in Arizona ?
There ’s a upright chance that if you have more than one woodpecker visiting you , you may actually be playing legion to a few different specie !
Legend for the following woodpecker migration and range maps
Although the lean below contains all the usual woodpeckers found in Arizona , it ’s possible to determine a vagrant specie of pecker that ’s not aboriginal to this particular nation . If you do see a vagrant species , it should be take an super rare sighting !
The watch over legend can be used for each woodpecker species map to find what metre of class you could see each pecker in your area .
15 woodpecker mintage are constitute in Arizona , include the Acorn Woodpecker , Gila Woodpecker , Red - breasted Sapsucker , Northern Flicker , Lewis ’s Woodpecker , Ladder - Backed Woodpecker , Williamson ’s Sapsucker , Yellow - belly Sapsucker , American Three - toed Woodpecker , Downy Woodpecker , Gilded Flicker , Arizona Woodpecker , cherry - naped Sapsucker , violent - headed Woodpecker , and Hairy Woodpecker . Several of these woodpecker species are permanent residents , while others are much rare and can be only spotted seasonally .
Legend for the following woodpecker migration and range maps
The 15 Woodpecker Species in Arizona
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
society : order Piciformes
phratry : Picidae
Size:7.5 – 9.1 in ( 19 – 23 cm )
The super - noisy acorn woodpecker is a born drummer , often rap its talons against tree arm ! They are so - nominate thanks to their propensity to accumulate and store acorns for their young one . They ’ll spend much of their life hunting and protecting nuts for their brood to consume . Acorn woodpeckers have entrancing societal lives , often opt to pair with multiple of the same species during a life . The acorn pecker is one of few Picidae notable for avoid monogamy . They also strive to hold their nest at all costs , too .
Other than dissonance , you ’ll spot an acorn woodpecker thanks to its black - and - white coloring . The males have a heap of crimson feathering on their cap , while females have more pitch-black coloring on the forehead .
You ’ll unremarkably discover that acorn pecker shack towards the southwest , with birds dwell in forestry deep into California , Washington State , and even in Texas and Arizona . If you ’re golden , you may even spot a few out in Colorado , across the Rockies , and into Nevada .
Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
Size:8.7 – 9.4 in ( 22 – 24 curium )
The heat - loving Gila peckerwood is a coarse sight across Mexico , and you ’ll often see it in the desert . In fact , these Picidae favour draw close in cacti over any other flora , tree diagram , or bush ! It persists in desiccate conditions perhaps better than most . This pecker is a mid - sized snort that incline to spend its afternoon rest and calling , favour to get much of its hunting out of the style early . This mintage is also extremely sociable with other woodpeckers and predict birds .
The Gila woodpecker look fairly similar to other eastern Picidae , however , you ’ll know them for their brown or tawny dead body and head colors , along with pattern wing and tails .
The Gila woodpecker is rarified in the US , however , it can travel over to drier southwestern soil such as Arizona , New Mexico , and California in hunting of cacti . You belike wo n’t find this woodpecker fall around the conk out trees that many other birds in its family line are potential to frequent .
Red-breasted Sapsucker
genus Sphyrapicus ruber
Size:7.9 – 8.7 in ( 20 – 22 atomic number 96 )
The red - breasted sapsucker is a west glide Picidae that run to enjoy flock to forests to give suck on sap – hence its name . Many other woodpeckers depend upon and can keep up the red-faced - breasted sapsucker in search of food , as their cakehole tend to be very ready to hand to get sap from ! The red - breasted sapsucker be given to be a fairly organized worker , bore course to suck sap from and to feed on insects . Interestingly , you ’ll also find these birds flocking towards the sea-coast , too .
These striking birds have gorgeous red oral sex and plumage , often with shameful and white feathers on their fender and tails . They are mid - sized birds and run to clump more towards the forest range than to yards . In any case , you may get lucky .
You will find this Picidae to frequent west coast district , traditionally to the west of the Rockies . West coast gardeners in California , Oregon , and Washington close to the forest edges may blot one or two if there are coniferous tree near by .
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Size:11.0 – 12.2 in ( 28 – 31 cm )
This Picidae is known by many , many different names – and you may well have seen it referred to as the Yellow or Red - screw Flicker . It ’s a somewhat rough-cut bird and is also one of the magnanimous woodpeckers inhabit across the states . Unlike most peckers , however , they lean to feast in the main on ground insects – ants , in particular ! This Flicker will choose to skip around to eat , but may even pick out to locate itself on branches occasionally when it fancies a fruit kickshaw or two .
The Northern Flicker has plumage colour that can vary ( hence its many names ) , but you may usually spot these bird thanks to their spot tails and flank . They often have ignominious markings around their nerve and crests , and you ’ll be capable to enjoin them apart from other Picidae on sheer size of it alone .
Northern Flickers tend to be out east but can be found high up up in the northwesterly reaches of Alaska , and even down towards the west coast – that applies to the yellow - chicane variety , in any causa ! flicker of this genus incline to be fairly plebeian across the US , with almost ten million specimen approximate at present in North America .
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Melanerpes lewis
Size:10.2 – 11.0 in ( 26 – 28 atomic number 96 )
The Lewis ’s Woodpecker is fairly rarefied , but also pretty toilsome to escape when you do spot one ! This is a queer pecker in that it does n’t tend to beak into wood for grub – instead , it ’s more fond to squander the odd flight critter . regrettably , this is another woodpecker whose numbers are fairly rare , as its habitat is shrink . The Lewis ’s Woodpecker is a little bit of a nomad in its nature , in that it will be happy to research for food in various territories across the twelvemonth . However , you ’ll normally find it in burn woods and pineland .
Boasting gorgeous ruby and black features , Lewis ’s pecker incline to be flushed around the grimace and nozzle , and to the crest and front feather . You ’ll find it has a brilliant , wholesale , contraband plumage to the wings and tail . You likely wo n’t hear it pecking or drilling .
Lewis ’s peckerwood , while uncommon , tends to be spot to the southwest , as far out east as Oklahoma , and normally guide up refuge in woods . However , you ’ll also find it in some spots of California – a uncommon daub that ’s very rewarding .
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker
Dryobates scalaris
Size:6.3 – 7.1 in ( 16 – 18 curium )
little but spunky , this is a monochromatic bird that you will normally find fluttering and drilling around the southerly states . This bird loves the siccative , warmer climate , and be given to nuzzle late into some of the less moist forests across these territories . gratefully , they have a stable universe ! These pecker are branch foragers , choosing to peck around keenly for insects . They ordinarily hide themselves during foraging – meaning they are not always loose to make out . That articulate , they do n’t tend to spend much prison term in the aura , either .
for the most part black and whitened to the backs and wings , these woodpeckers often boast red diadem sweeping back , with ignominious marking around their faces and beaks . They will often have brown mite on their front , too .
The ladder - back woodpecker tends to be a uncouth stack across the southerly and southwest states , and they can be seen further in the south in Central America . This tends to be a non - migratory woodpecker – it is often happy to outride local .
Williamson’s Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus thyroideus
Size:8.3 – 9.8 in ( 21 – 25 cm )
The Williamson ’s sapsucker is a woodpecker that seems to be bouncing back from endangered position – thankfully ! These are bright bright - slanted bird – at least when it come to male ! As with other sapsucker , this snort will merrily drill its way into trees and leave nice pits for birds to get sap out of . This sapsucker is also known to eat ants and bugs out of the bark it suck from , though this will normally occur when it is engender . It does n’t have a favorite tree – it happily pecks away in a mix of woodland .
Interestingly , the males and females of this mintage often vary wildly – the male is extremely promising in colour , in terms of a inglorious , sweeping pelage with yellows and reds to the front , while females are dimmer in shade , flecked and often brown in color .
Despite once being endangered , this fowl now thankfully frequents more of the mid - west than ever before . That pronounce , the migratory normal of this species are somewhat inscrutable with some populations known to transmigrate and others to be residents .
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Size:7.1 – 8.7 in ( 18 – 22 curium )
This peckerwood is a mixed bag of shuttlecock that will happily practise golf hole to drink tasty sap from within , something that ’s very welcoming to other metal money . These birds are fairly similar to other sapsuckers in terms of behaviour and in terms of looks . Yellow - bellied sapsucker lean to be very unique drillers – you will in all likelihood recognise their staggered pecking if they happen upon wood or alloy near your curtilage . These birdie are known for pecking and making nest extremely high up – over 6,000 animal foot in the air .
As the name suggest , you will normally be able to spot a yellow - belly out sapsucker for its bright stomach , however , it often has a reddish crown and nucha , with stunning black and white bars and flecks down its body , tail , and wings .
The Yellow - bellied Sapsucker is the most migrant woodpecker in the world , breed as far north as eastern Arkansas and the northern boreal forest , and overwinter as far south as Panama and the Caribbean . Much like other US native sapsucker , this bird will normally be found in forest spots , though this specie will transmigrate from the central field and downcast midwest S towards the Rebecca West of the Appalachians .
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Picoides dorsalis
Size:8.3 – 9.1 in ( 21 – 23 atomic number 96 )
These peckerwood are so - named thanks to the obvious difference in their foot – they run to run back further than most woodpeckers thanks to their three toes ! They also run to be some of the noisier , more aggressive peckers , so that they can get a good bang on the bark they attack . American Three - toed peckerwood tend to pass a lot of time smack and surmount away at one or two trees before they will choose to go elsewhere – and they never get too deep into the bark .
As well as only having three toes , the American three - toed peckerwood is notable for have blackened / browned and white plumage , speckle , with a prominent pattern human face . Again , they can also be easy to spot thanks to their pecking drug abuse .
This Picidae is deplorably one of the most endanger , though there are thought to be more than 1.4 million of them living across North America . They tend to inhabit forested peck areas , and they also largely live the upper half of the continent . If you live in Alaska , British Columbia , or out towards Canada , you may be lucky enough to blot one or two .
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
Size:5.5 – 6.7 in ( 14 – 17 cm )
really flyspeck , the cute downy woodpecker is a Picidae that ’s common across the magnetic north to cardinal country . In fact , they are the smallest native pecker in the country . They tend to prefer milder climates on the whole but are jazz to travel around . They use knifelike , single birdsong , and be given to delight feed on seeds in feeders . If you have any woodpeckers in your backyard , there is a very good chance it is a Dryobates pubescens . They are just bigger than your common garden dunnock .
Exceptionally small but unabashedly noisy , the fluffy woodpecker is largely black and white with spots , and the male tend to have reddened peak . They have vary spots and stripes across their wing and plumage – think that neither one nor two may ever look the same !
The downy woodpecker lives just about everywhere across the United States , with sightings across United States Department of State as various as Florida and Alaska ! If the climate is meek enough – and not too cheery – then there ’s every hazard you ’ll discern this bird in your yard . There are around 13 million of them across the continent .
Gilded Flicker
Colaptes chrysoides
Size:11.0 in ( 28 centimetre )
This prominent , heat - have it away Picidae is a lover of cacti – in fact , it will commonly make nest in the plants without a scratch ! These species are fairly rare , sadly , but they are truly gorgeous to watch – any backyard welcoming these wench is a favorable one indeed . Just smaller than the average crow , the Gilded Flicker lean to enjoy feasting on insect that burrow into the soil , with ants being choice quarry . You ’ll seldom see these skirt in tree , however – so it ’s right to look closer to the ground .
Often speckled to the crest and wings , the Gilded Flicker can also expose a fairly golden plumage in flight . It has brown - orange colour on its crown and down the back of its head . You may often see it gas a pitch-black crest , too .
The Gilded Flicker , as a fan of cactus for nest - construction , run to frequent deserts and arid land out around Mexico and towards California , Arizona , and Nevada . Even then , its habits are lamentably threaten – meaning unless you live close to the drier regions and plains , spotting this Picidae is pretty rare .
Arizona Woodpecker
Dryobates arizonae
Size:7.1 – 7.9 in ( 18 – 20 cm )
This rare little Picidae is , as its name suggests , a delicacy to spot in backyards around the southern country . Softly gloss and sprightly , this comparatively small pecker tend to be a big buff of goody you ’ll allow out in a eater . Their numbers are said to be restrict , but around sealed states , you ’ll discover it easy enough to attract them . The Arizona peckerwood has an unexpended pattern in how it scales trees , too . It tend to commence spiraling up trees that it enjoys beak , work from the bottom all the way up to the top .
Small in stature and tripping John Brown in colour , the Arizona Woodpecker can sometimes boast a small reft tuft towards the back of its point and has a speckled chest .
The name gives it aside – you ’ll find this species of Picidae live across Arizona and down towards Mexico , favour forests rich in pine . If you live near to the Sky Islands , they can be a common treat to spot .
Red-naped Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Size:7.5 – 8.3 in ( 19 – 21 cm )
This popular sapsucker is a common hoot that ’s produce in numbers – and that ’s likely to thrill many woodpeckers elsewhere , as this is a sapsucker probable to leave lots of loose hole for tasty sap . You ’ll normally recognise them out in forests like other sapsucker , but you may get one or two in your yard if you are favorable enough ! This pecker has an extraordinarily short spit for its species , though that avail it to get at its day-to-day sap . These sapsucker can live to relatively sometime eld , with the sometime on book being almost five old age of eld .
The red - naped sapsucker has – of course – a scarlet scruff , with white and fatal marker often emblazoning its side , as well as its crest , body , and wing . It can get quite big , and given that it ’s fairly vulgar , you should n’t have any problem finding it .
These woodpeckers tend to subsist in the mid - elevation forests of the intermountain West , from the Rocky Mountains westwards to the eastern slopes of Washington and Oregon . Most someone transmigrate short distances with female migrate further than males on average . The northern birds move in the south into the westerly and southwesterly United States .
Red-headed Woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
This big , boldly - discolour bird is a wonderful sight for many , and while you might not listen it call too often , its rattles and drumming on tree will likely be a unwashed speech sound across its native states . However , it does n’t actually pick at at trees for nutrient – it snatch flying beasts as they flitter past . This woodpecker has sadly fallen in number over the year due to food scarcity . However , when it ca n’t snatch a hemipterous insect or two , it happily feasts on nuts and acorns .
Their name is a giveaway – they have brilliant red crown and head , with white body feathers and monochrome wings and tails . You probably wo n’t hear their calls too loudly .
These acorn - foraging bird frequent the easterly to central country , stretch along up as far as out Canada . They lean to bask the warm reaches , however , as they will frequent spots in Florida and down in New Mexico .
Hairy Woodpecker
Dryobates villosus
Size:7.1 – 10.2 in ( 18 – 26 cm )
If there is a chance you ’re drop dead to spot a pecker in your backyard somewhere in the states , then it ’s probably going to be a haired species ! The Dryobates villosus is extremely common , but it ’s actually somewhat timid and adjourn . They have very simple song but will be well-chosen to practice and bone on just about anything . They are also premier opportunists – they ’ll slip sap from holes drilled by other birds ! The hairy peckerwood is also known for its mighty peck – it looks small , but it drills forte !
The hairy woodpecker naturally has a pretty hairy show , though it ’s also notable for its relatively foresighted , pointed bill , as well as its discrete black and ashen color . Some coinage , however , can carry a chocolate-brown tone . They are generally white to the chest and are speckle to the wings .
Where to start ? This Picidae does n’t tend to be busy about climate , though you ’ll normally see it amongst conifers . There are more than eight million of these bird across the continent , and their numbers are growing – there are no picky country where they are most fertile .
How to Attract Arizona Woodpeckers to Your Yard
require to see more woodpeckers in your backyard ?
As you could see , there are more than a few wondrous woodpecker metal money to look out for across Arizona . Some may not flock to garden and backyard in party favour of forests and woodland reaches – however , there ’s a opportunity a rare bird or two may make its way to you .
If you ’re keen to commence spotting woodpeckers in your yard , why not take a look at our scout onhow to attract woodpeckers ? That ’ll give you the basics of what ’s require to attract peckerwood .
Then , we ’d recommend reading our purchaser ’s guide onchoosing the good woodpecker feeder . set up up a woodpecker affluent or two is the effective way of life to vouch that woodpecker will chat your yard . While you ’re at it , do ensure to read our full guide onwhat to feed woodpecker , too – as start out their diet right field will make a lot of divergence !
There are a cluster of other path to attract woodpeckers such asgetting a chick bathand planting native tree that woodpeckers bonk .
All State Woodpeckers
Want to see what pecker coinage are rule in other states ? Here ’s our complete list of woodpeckers found in each commonwealth :
