Description: Measuring about 9 inches in length, the Gila Woodpecker is mostly sand-colored, with a barred, black and white back, wings, and tail, and red cap. The bill is long and gray. The female lacks the red cap. Gila Woodpeckers are conspicuous desert dwellers and are easy to see in the Arizona desert. These birds are crucial to the desert ecosystem in that they excavate cavities in cacti, used by many other desert species including the Elf Owl, Screech Owl, Purple Martin, and other creatures. When a Gila Woodpecker excavates a cavity, it can't use it until the inner pulp of the cactus forms a solid casing around the perimeter of the cavity. This process may take several months.

Diet: Insects, fruit, seeds, occasional birds' eggs, and lizards.

Range: The Gila Woodpecker breeds in the desert regions of southern Arizona, Baja California, and western Mexico. These woodpeckers are year-round residents.

Habitat: The Gila Woodpecker lives in desert regions populated with large cacti. It will also visit parks and residential neighborhoods.

Status: The Gila woodpecker is common, but has recently experienced some declines due to increased competition with European Starlings.