The Arizona woodpecker is a woodpecker native to southern Arizona and New Mexico and the Sierra Madre Occidental of western Mexico. The species' northernmost range in southeastern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico, and northern Sonora is the region of the Madrean Sky Islands, a region of higher Sonoran Desert mountain ranges.
Region
Southwestern United States and Sierra Madre Occidental
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Madrean Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona and extreme southwestern New Mexico, extending south through Sonora, Chihuahua, and along the Sierra Madre Occidental into western Mexico. Prefers mid-elevation oak and pine–oak woodlands, especially along canyons and riparian corridors with sycamore and oak. Often forages on trunks and larger limbs in semi-open woodland mosaics and edges. Dead snags and partially decayed limbs are important for foraging and cavity excavation.
Altitude Range
1200–2800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Unique among U.S. woodpeckers for its predominantly brown plumage, the Arizona woodpecker was formerly lumped with Strickland’s Woodpecker of Mexico. It is a year-round resident of oak and pine–oak woodlands and depends on dead or decaying limbs for nesting cavities. It often joins mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season and uses subtle, short drumming bouts rather than loud, sustained rolls.
Female
Temperament
active but wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating glide
Social Behavior
Typically forages singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and often joins mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season. Monogamous pairs excavate a new cavity each year, usually in dead or decaying oak or sycamore limbs. Nests are placed in mid-elevation woodland canyons and adjacent slopes.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp, high peek calls and dry rattling series while foraging and in contact. Drumming is relatively soft and brief, delivered in short bursts on resonant limbs during territorial and courtship displays.
