Arizona Woodpecker

The Arizona Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae) is a woodpecker native to southern Arizona and New Mexico and the Sierra Madre Occidental of western Mexico. This species is known in older field guides as a subspecies of Strickland’s Woodpecker.

Arizona Woodpeckers are nearly identical to Strickland’s Woodpeckers, growing to be about 7 to 8 inches in length. Their plumage is mainly brown and white in coloration, brown on top with a dark rump with white undersides speckled with brown spots. Arizona Woodpeckers usually have white bars on their wings, and have two white stripes across their face which joins with another white bar on their neck. Male Arizona Woodpeckers also have a red patch on the nape of their head which is lacking on females.

The call of the Arizona Woodpecker is a sharp, squeaky (keech), and this species also gives a rattle call of descending, grating notes.