Continued greetings from the road! We are in the second half of our western jaunt and I have to say it has been a bit tiring. The long drives, the continual up and downs from one mountain range to another and the temperature fluctuations … well that is probably the real story right now. After spending so much time at altitude and fairly pleasant temps (if not cold) weather conditions at elevation, we are now in the hot desert, more accurately, the torturous hot box. I have a history of heat “issues” and it takes the gradual temp changes back home to get the internal thermostats calibrated. This process has been short circuited to a 2 day cycle – one day 70sF followed by a steady 105-109F. Probably should have thought the plan through a bit more, but we are really in wait mode now until we make our sprint into California for a wedding and then point the RV east(ward). Early morning birding only at this point. Still managing to get some good checks and even broke through the 300 mark as I now sit at #268 in the top US birder rankings thanks to the now 92 birds added this trip (only 8 more to hit the Average Year goal of 400!!)
Thought I would introduce you to one of my favorite feathered friend finds from last year’s trip to Arizona while I try to get the internal body temperature down.
Your eyes are fine, that really is a brown Woodpecker. Hit the jump to read more about this very regionally limited bird!
Unless you happen to be in the very southeastern part of Arizona or southwestern corner of New Mexico, it is unlikely you are going to encounter this particular species.
Actually, even if you are fortunate to be in that area, it can still be a challenge to find in the wild. They do not officially migrate so their rarity sightings are even less likely. Curious, I checked the sightings map on Cornell’s website and that pretty much proved my assumption – there are a few additional sightings further north into New Mexico (Gila National Forest area), but absolutely nothing elsewhere in the US. Most of you will need to get behind the wheel or tickets on a metal bird to check this species off your list.
When I made my target list for the 2025 trek through southeastern Arizona, this aptly named Arizona Woodpecker was in the top 5 targets. Staring at that entry on the list while traveling out there was producing a lot of stress – the limited range meant we were going to get minimal chances of seeing it, much harder getting it in the tin.
I guess the big surprise is already out of the bag by the post itself, obviously I did manage to find it and was able to bring back something for you to enjoy as well. These images come to you from a single location across the two days we were able to visit. Do you remember the previous post on the Hepatic Tanager (link here)? Well, just a few minutes before that sighting, this Arizona Woodpecker graced us with its presence.
If you have spent any time out in the field or just a regular reader of this blog, then you are very aware of how hard it can be to properly identify a bird. If you don’t believe that, simply make a set of flash cards from the Tyrannidae family (link here) and proceed to tear your hair out. That is NOT the case when it comes to the Arizona Woodpecker as there is no mistaking it in its distinctive all brown and white color palette. Actually the males do have the additional small red patch on the back of their head typical of most male Woodpecker family members. The two “Similar Species” Cornell gives as an ID aid (Hairy and Ladder-Backed) made me chuckle as neither of them look anything like the Arizona. A quick deduction from these shots identify it as a female. Never spotted the male – a quest for our upcoming travel to Madera Canyon on our return path.
Have to admit, I appreciated the opportunity to see it at the feeder first as it was definitely harder to spot when it returned to the trees. Those browns and white really blend in with all the branches and surrounding thicket. Not having those blacks found on the other Woodpeckers really helped it blend in to its environment.
Cute, cute and more cute.
The next shot is one of my favorites as it shows those strong tail feathers that allow Woodpeckers the stabilization needed to support their neck pounding. The strength in the tail feathers coupled with the stiff feathering allow it to counter-press against the toe-claws giving it the ability to hammer on wood without flipping off the tree – in the situation below, the tail is low on the feeder allowing it to bend up nearly 90 degrees. That visible tiny and likely razor sharp claw just adds to the whole cuteness-quotient.
Giving you heavy dose of images to make up for the disappointing lack of interesting facts about this diminutive Woodpecker on the net – unless you find the fact that one Arizona Woodpecker once hammered on a Horse’s leg – thanks Cornell. Suspect you’d rather look at pictures anyway.
Cornell recommends if you are on the hunt for the Arizona, start with Oak and Pine forests in the 5-5.5K feet elevation range. A quick search confirmed this recommendation – Madera Canyon sits between 2700′ at the base to 9,500′ at the top of Mt. Wrightson. The parking areas around Santa Rita Lodge sit between 5-5.5K – PERFECT! Scan low on trees first as this Woodpecker will start at the base of trees and spiral themselves to the top before dropping down to the base of the next tree. Side note, the trails at the end of Madera Canyon are in my top 5 hikes in the US, absolutely enjoyed my time there – even with the ankle just getting out of the walking boot.
One more before I let you go.
The body temperature is finally back to a bearable level and time to get back on the hunt. Hope you enjoyed this Arizona specialty – a cherished lifer from our March/April 2025 trip through Madera Canyon. If you are ever in that part of the US, be sure and drop in. Even if you are not into birding, the trails and scenery are spectacular.
Take care, stay cool and for those back home, hoping the weather calms down – more on that destruction in my next post.
Wildlife Intrigued 
Hermoso y decidido pájaro carpintero marrón tocando madera.
So you are still heading to Californication, and roasting your wiener schnitzel along the way. Remember to stop by the Salton Sea’s Bombay Beach, East Jesus and Slab City on your way back east.
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We will check out those places if we can. Our plan is to get to Arizona as soon as possible so we can hunt this Arizona specialty down again and get my count up even higher – now at 410 and at current review AZ has 44 additional/potential target birds! I also need to get home and get back to training, getting miles in on the road is a pain in the ass. Take care Tim, hopefully you are enjoying all the stress free time away from WP publishing.
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Here’s some of the birds you might find at the Salton Sea. There’s a Sonny Bono Wildlife Preserve at the Salton Sea, also. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Regions/6/Salton-Sea-Birds/Salton-Sea-Bird-Species
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There is some good birds there! Trying to figure out if we can pull it off, we have to be in Pantagonia in a day which is already going to be quite a drive from where we are at. Appreciate the information.
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What a beautiful little bird that is!
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Definitely agree Anneli, those browns and whites really compliment each other – add in the darling expression and it is definitely one of our highlights from the previous AZ trip. Hopefully we will be able to see another one on our return leg of this trip. Take care.
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I think this is my favorite of all the birds I’ve seen on your posts.
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This is a good pick Anneli. Maybe not as colorful as other birds that we’ve featured, but as a total package, this Woodpecker can stand on its own for sure. We have been able to find new stunners on our current trip I am eager to share….based on my record, it will probably be a good amount of time until we get to those as my backlog is embarrassing at the moment – even Brad’s backlog is starting to stretch from all his trips as of late.
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It’s good to bring birds to the public’s attention. So many people are hung up on making sure nothing eats their lawn and they spray poison on it without a thought. I find dead birds in my yard every time their weed killing outfits come to do their wicked job.
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Yuck, seems like there would be some alternative chemical they could use that would be safer for the wildlife. Hoping the weeds haven’t taken over my homestead while we have been touring the west, might have to burn it all out just to get ahead of it again ha. Thanks for dropping in Anneli and apologies for the late response.
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What an excellent set of shots! Good luck with the heat adaptation.
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Such a classy bird! 👍
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Hi Tom, forgot this is one from your neck of the woods – jealous you have the opportunity to see these woodpeckers versus the long travels we require. Thanks for dropping in and take care!
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What an utterly unique woodpecker!! I certainly never knew there was one with these lovely, soft, brown colors. I was recently in the Grand Canyon and southeastern Utah. We saw many birds that were new to us, East Coast folks, but I guess that’s in the other direction!
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You were a bit to the northeast of where these specialties hang out Journey. We just came through Utah a week or so ago and really like all the birding opportunities we had out there – and the scenery is spectacular. With that said, I have to admit the East Coast has a lot of nice birds as well!! Thanks for coming by and have yourself a wonderful weekend.
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What a surprising little woodpecker, all brown and white. She is about twice as big as our Downy Woodpecker, so I should have been able to spot her. I can see I missed a real opportunity! Well, there is always next time 🙂
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She is a beauty Sam, so sorry you missed it on your trip. The great thing about birding is there is always another opportunity in the future. We will be heading back to Madera Canyon in a couple of days – fingers crossed one will still be hanging out at the lodge. Note, if you ever head to the northwest, let me know, I have plenty of new spots for you to explore.
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Wonderful!
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A pleasure to view this woodpecker. Really fine shots!
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Thank you Belinda! I was incredibly happy when I finally got back to the digital darkroom and confirmed I was able to get something decent in the tin. We only saw this bird on two occasions and both times I wasn’t entirely sure the settings were right as it bounced from the shade of the trees to the bright sun of the feeders. Appreciate you coming by and hope all is going well for you up north.
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I can imagine! Our temperatures are a bit more comfortable than you’ve been experiencing
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Rain at home, heat where we are at…just can’t catch a break ha.
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Nice Brian. Interesting that this particular woodpecker would blend into its surroundings when the others have some red to make them stand out. So, am surprised no one hasn’t already taken advantage of this post. “ Knock, Knock!” ( “Who’s there!?!” ) I will let you end it. 😳🤓😎
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Hahaha, this pecker deserves a good knock knock joke! This is the female and like most in the WP family, they get the short straw when it comes to the sexy coloring – the males do have the red patch on the back of their head which probably really stick out against their browns. I have yet to see a male, but fingers crossed we will get to spot one on our way from our current trip – fingers crossed. Take care Jerry and as always, appreciate you coming by.
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A true LBJ with a pointy weapon on the front and nearly perfect camouflage. Good catch Brian.
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Good point Brad, it does perfectly fit the LBJ group and per your observation, probably the most lethal!
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I’m sure there’s a bird Hazmat class at Intrigued that I just haven’t been invited to yet.
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Due time!
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