Any insect eater is a welcome backyard guest. The bird is very common, so finding it in populated suburban areas and city parks is possible. Don’t be fooled, it won’t stray that far south to the desert. The Hairy Woodpecker looks like other desert dwellers on this list. In Arizona, you will find them in the northern part of the state’s forests hunting for insects. On a Hairy Woodpecker, the beak will be almost the same size as its head, assisting it in drilling for nests and insects. Note the size of its beak as well, as this is key in differentiating from the Downy. Hairy Woodpeckers will often visit feeders, giving you a good chance to see its bright red eye patch. Look for the black wings checkered with white spots crawling up the trunks of a tree in your backyard. Southern Hairy tend to weigh less, but the species typically 1.4 to 3.4 ounces (39.4 g to 96.4 g). Hairy WoodpeckerĪ Hairy Woodpecker is 7.1 to 10.1 inches (18 cm to 25.7 cm) tall and has a 13 to 16 inch (33 cm to 40.6 cm) wingspan. RELATED 9 Incredible Woodpeckers in Florida: ID Guide + Photos & Facts 4. Opting for volume over display, the Northern Flicker is the only bird on the list that seeks out metal to ensure he is the loudest. If you are ever wondering what is drumming on the side of your house, it’s likely the Northern Flicker looking for love. If a group moves in, expect to be refilling your feeder sometime soon. Bullies of the birdfeeder, their size and volume make it easy to scare off smaller visitors. These birds are often seen in your backyard combing the forest floor and trees for insects. The Northern Flicker is found year-round in Arizona in woodlands north of the desert. One of few woodpeckers found in North America that is migratory. Flickers can also be identified by their light brown coloring with a black-spotted chest. You’re likely to only see the red-shafted species, defined by the red whisker off of their beak or color underneath their wings. This Flicker will weigh between 4.5 and 5.5 ounces (113.4 g and 155.9 g). The Northern Flicker is 11 to 12 inches (29.4 cm to 30.5 cm) tall, with a 16 to 20 inch (40.6 cm to 50.8 cm) long wingspan. RELATED 7 Hard-Hitting Species of Woodpeckers in Ohio (With Pictures and Facts) 3. The diet and temperament of the two are almost identical with the only difference being that Gilded Flickers are less likely to move in around our homes. The species that occupy colder climates (Northern) will grow larger than their relatives in warmer ones (Gilded). The Gilded and Northern Flicker are great examples of Bergmann’s Rule. The show never ends in an attack, instead the female will judge who is worthy of her affections. In a dramatic fencing match, they swing their beaks at each other while the females watch. When competing for a mate, the males will duel with their beaks. Here, it can forage the open land for ants and beetles. The Gilded Flicker lives in the scrublands of central and southern Arizona where it nests in the native Saguaro cacti. Look for yellow patches under the wings and tail as opposed to red patches. They differentiate most obviously from the Northern under the wings. Gilded Flickers are the color pattern hybrid of the Yellow-shafted and Red-shafted Northern Flicker. These woodpeckers typically weigh 3.3 to 4.5 ounces (93.6 g to 127.6 g). The smaller flicker stands 11 inches (28 cm) tall, with a wingspan of 20 inches (50.8 cm). RELATED 31+ Florida Turtles: ID Guide with Facts, Chart and Photos 2. Owls and hawks will often use vacated nests in the Saguaro cacti they would otherwise be unable to build. After their nesting season ends, the cavities are left for other species to use. Gila Woodpeckers drill nests months before breeding season and wait for the pulp to dry. These expert cactus nesters are hugely admired by their desert-dwelling counterparts. Like most desert dwellers they’re less active during the heat of the day. Look for them foraging the shrubs and cacti during the cooler parts of the day. The Gila Woodpecker is found in the desert climates of central and southern Arizona. Males will have a red crown on their head. Sharing the same brilliant checkerboard pattern on the wings with the Flickers, they lack any colored whisker coming off of their beak. To the naked eye the Gila Woodpecker is smaller. Gila Woodpeckers are similar in appearance to both Flickers woodpeckers also found in Arizona. If you investigate, you’ll likely flush them and get a good look. Listen for their rolling call that’s reminiscent of a Northern Flicker. These birds are very active and easy to spot during the day. These woodpeckers weigh between 1.8 and 2.8 ounces (51 g and 79.4 g). The Gila is 8 to 9 inches (20.3 cm to 23.9 cm) in height, with a 16 inch (40.6 cm) wingspan. RELATED How To Make A Camping Tent From Scratch: An Emergency Shelter, or For Fun 1.
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