The Gila Woodpecker is a photograph by Robert Bales which was uploaded on April 24th, 2014.
The Gila Woodpecker
A very common visitor to my yard for the winter months in Yuma, Arizona.
This woodpecker's habitat consists of low desert scrub typical of... more
by Robert Bales
Title
The Gila Woodpecker
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
A very common visitor to my yard for the winter months in Yuma, Arizona.
This woodpecker's habitat consists of low desert scrub typical of the Sonoran desert. They build nests in holes made in saguaro cacti or mesquite trees. Cavities excavated by these woodpeckers in saguaro cacti are later used by a variety of other species, including the Elf Owl. There, they typically lay 3-5 white eggs.
The back and wings of this bird are spotted and barred with a black and white zebra-like pattern. The neck, throat, belly and head are greyish-tan in color. The male has a small red cap on the top of the head. Females and juveniles are similar, but both lack the red cap of the adult male. White wing patches are prominent in flight. The dark tail has white bars on the central tail feathers. They range from 8-10 in (20�25 cm) in length. This woodpecker's voice is a rolling churr sound. It also makes a yip yip yip sound and a kee-u, kee-u, kee-u sound. Its drum is long and steady.
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April 24th, 2014
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Viewed 1,484 Times - Last Visitor from Wilmington, DE on 03/27/2024 at 5:59 PM
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Comments (27)
Dylyce Clarke
Congratulations, your picture has been FEATURED on the home page in the group WONDER OF WINGS on February 17, 2024. You are invited to add this featured image to the group discussion page "FEATURES ARCHIVE Jan-April 2024.”
Dale Kincaid
Congratulations! Your fantastic art has been featured in the ANIMAL MANIA Group gallery! You are invited to post your work in the feature archive discussion.
Marvin Blaine
Exceptional capture Robert! Love the colors of this woodpecker's feathers. Love how this little one pops! L/F!
William Tasker
Great shot, Robert! I enjoyed viewing this fine nature photograph and have featured it on the homepage of the group, Wild Birds Of The World - A Nature Photography Group. L/F
Linda Phelps
F/L The framing of the bird with the branches of the ocotilo plant is very nice. I like the diagonal lines. The pose of the woodpecker fits nicely with these lines. The details in the feathers and the catch light in the eye make this a great image!
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks so much for the very nice comments and I did take a little extra time to process this one. I had to add the catch light.