Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Gila Woodpecker vs Gilded Flicker
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gilded Flicker
Gilded Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Gilded Flicker
Gilded Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Gilded Flicker
Gilded Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Gilded Flicker
Gilded Flicker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker vs Gilded Flicker (Melanerpes uropygialis vs Colaptes chrysoides): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The two saguaro woodpeckers. Three rules:
- Wing flash: golden-yellow under the wings = Gilded Flicker; white wing patch = Gila.
- Breast: spotted with a black crescent bib = Gilded Flicker; plain tan = Gila.
- Where it feeds: on the ground digging ants = Gilded Flicker; up on cactus and trunks = Gila.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The desert zebra-back and the golden flicker, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Gila Woodpecker | Gilded Flicker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melanerpes uropygialis | Colaptes chrysoides |
| Length KEY | 9.3 in (24 cm) | 11–12.2 in (28–31 cm) |
| Wingspan | 16.1 in (41 cm) | 16.5–19.3 in (42–49 cm) |
| Weight | 2.3–2.9 oz (65–82 g) | 3.2–4.6 oz (92–130 g) |
| Overall Shape | Medium desert woodpecker, tan-headed with a barred back | A large, ground-foraging woodpecker of the saguaro desert — the golden-winged flicker |
| Male Plumage KEY | Tan head, breast and belly; black-and-white barred back and wings; small red patch on the crown; white wing patches in flight | Brown-barred back, spotted breast with a black bib crescent, golden-yellow wing linings, gray crown, tan face and a red mustache stripe |
| Female Plumage | Like the male but without the red crown patch | Identical but without the red mustache |
| Bill Shape | Stout, gray-black, slightly decurved | Long, slightly decurved, gray |
| Tail | Barred black and white, stiff | Stiff, pointed — braced on cactus ribs; white rump flashes in flight |
| Core Range | Sonoran Desert — Arizona and neighboring lowlands — in saguaro stands, towns and farms | Sonoran Desert of Arizona and northwestern Mexico — tied to saguaro stands |
| Migration | Non-migratory resident | Non-migratory |
| Feeder Presence | A bold desert-yard bird: suet, fruit, and notorious for raiding hummingbird feeders for nectar | Rarely; may take suet at desert yards; nests in saguaro and sycamore cavities |
| Favorite Foods | Insects, cactus fruit, nectar, eggs; suet at feeders | Ants dug from the ground, cactus fruit, insects |
| Song | No true song — a rolling “churr” instead | No song; a loud, rapid “wik-wik-wik” series |
| Flight Call KEY | A rolling “churr” and sharp “pip” notes | A loud “klee-yer” like a Northern Flicker’s |
| Population Trend | Stable; benefits from backyard saguaros and palms | Declining with saguaro habitat loss and starling competition for nest holes |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Gila Woodpecker — Male
Melanerpes uropygialis
- Tan head and underparts with a small red crown patch.
- Barred back and wings; white wing patches flash in flight.
- Excavates nest holes in saguaros — later used by owls and flycatchers.
Gilded Flicker — Male
Colaptes chrysoides
- Golden-yellow wing linings and a red mustache.
- Gray crown, tan face — no red crescent on the nape.
- White rump flash in bounding flight over the desert.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Gila Woodpecker — Female
Melanerpes uropygialis
- Tan head without the red patch; barred back.
- Raids hummingbird feeders for sugar water.
- The default woodpecker of Sonoran Desert towns.
Gilded Flicker — Female
Colaptes chrysoides
- No red mustache — otherwise identical.
- Excavates nest holes in saguaros, later used by owls and flycatchers.
- Feeds on the ground, lapping up ants with a long tongue.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Gila Woodpecker | Gilded Flicker |
|---|---|---|
| Back | Barred black-and-white | Brown with dark bars |
| Breast | Plain tan-gray | Heavily spotted, with a black crescent bib |
| Wings in Flight | Bold white wing patch | Golden-yellow linings flash |
| Male Red | Small red cap on the crown | Red mustache stripe |
| Face | Plain tan | Tan face, gray crown — no red nape crescent |
| Size | 9.4 in — medium | 11–12 in — large and lanky |
| Call | A rolling “churr” like a red-bellied | Loud “klee-yer” and “wik-wik-wik” |
Song & Call Comparison
Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
Voice: a loud rolling churr, plus sharp pip notes.
Drumming: rapid rolls on saguaros, palms and utility poles.
Gilded Flicker
Colaptes chrysoides
Calls: a loud klee-yer and a rapid wik-wik-wik series.
Drum: a long, even roll on dead cactus and metal.
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Gila Woodpecker lives in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, southeast California and Mexico — saguaros, mesquite and desert towns.
The Gilded Flicker shares the same saguaro desert but is more strictly tied to mature saguaro stands; its range is smaller and it is the scarcer of the two.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Gila Woodpecker: suet, and sugar water from hummingbird feeders — a desert backyard regular.
- Gilded Flicker: rare at feeders; watches for it foraging ants on bare ground.
- Both excavate saguaro holes — later used by owls, martins and flycatchers.
- Never remove a dead saguaro with cavities — it is a desert apartment block.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Gila Woodpeckers are assertive and noisy, chasing rivals from cactus and feeders alike.
Gilded Flickers are calmer ground-foragers, hammering into soil after ants and anting quietly in the dust.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Wing flash. Golden = Gilded Flicker; white patch = Gila.
- Breast. Spotted with black bib = flicker; plain = Gila.
- Feeding level. Ground = flicker; cactus and trunks = Gila.
- Male red. Crown cap = Gila; mustache = Gilded Flicker.
- Size. Medium = Gila; large and lanky = flicker.
- Call. Rolling churr = Gila; loud klee-yer = flicker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a Gila Woodpecker from a Gilded Flicker?
Gilas are medium, zebra-backed with a plain tan head and a white wing patch. Gilded Flickers are larger, with golden wing linings, a spotted breast, a black bib and (males) a red mustache.
Which one feeds on the ground?
The Gilded Flicker — like all flickers it digs for ants on the ground. Gilas feed on cactus and trunks.
Do both nest in saguaros?
Yes — both excavate cavities in saguaros, and their old holes house owls, flycatchers and martins.
How is a Gilded Flicker different from a Northern Flicker?
Gildeds have golden-yellow (not bright yellow) wing linings, a tan face with gray crown, and no red crescent on the nape; they live only in the saguaro desert.
Do Gila Woodpeckers drink from hummingbird feeders?
Yes — they are notorious nectar-raiders in desert backyards.
Are Gilded Flickers declining?
Yes — saguaro loss and European Starlings stealing nest cavities are the main threats.
Key Takeaways
- Wing flash: Golden = Gilded Flicker; white = Gila.
- Breast: Spotted + bib = flicker; plain = Gila.
- Feeding: Ground = flicker; cactus = Gila.
- Male red: Crown = Gila; mustache = flicker.
- Size: Bigger and lankier = flicker.
- Saguaros: Both nest in them — spare the dead ones.