Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis

f6.7 @ 1/2500s, ISO:800, Nikon D3S w 500mm and 1.7X teleconverter

\"Gila Woodpecker,\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Gila woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker of the desert regions of the southwestern United States and western Mexico. In the U.S., they range through southeastern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. 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. 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.

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

03/30/2016