Woodpeckers are medium-sized birds that use their chisel-like beaks to drill holes in tree trunks to find food and create nesting cavities. There are over 200 species of woodpeckers that can be found worldwide, with around 23 species native to North America.
Arizona is home to several species of woodpeckers that can be identified by their distinct vocalizations. When trying to identify a woodpecker by sound alone, it helps to understand their different calls and drumming patterns.
Woodpeckers communicate using a variety of vocalizations and drumming sounds. Drumming serves several purposes, including establishing territory, attracting a mate, and communicating with other individuals. The drumming sound is made as the woodpecker repeatedly strikes its beak on a tree surface.
While most woodpecker species found in Arizona look similar, their calls and drumming patterns can help distinguish between species. Here are some of the most common woodpecker species found in Arizona and information on what their vocalizations sound like:
Gila Woodpecker
The Gila woodpecker is a small-medium sized woodpecker with a tan body, black and white barred back, and red cap. It is found in desert scrub and riparian woodlands throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico.
The call of the Gila woodpecker is a loud, repetitive “wurr” or “churr”. It is the only woodpecker in Arizona that makes this distinct rattling call.
The drumroll of a Gila woodpecker is a fast, stuttering roll that lasts about 2-3 seconds. It is slower and shorter than the drumroll of other Arizona woodpeckers.
Gilded Flicker
The Gilded Flicker is a large woodpecker marked with pale yellow wing linings, a gray face, and black crescent across the chest. It inhabits deserts and dry woodlands of the southwestern United States.
The Gilded flicker’s call is a loud “kyeah” or “wheea”. It is sharp and ascending in pitch.
Its drumming pattern is a fast roll that accelerates in pace. The drumroll lasts for 6-8 seconds, which is longer than other Arizona woodpecker species.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
The Ladder-backed woodpecker is a small black and white woodpecker with ladder-like markings on its back. It is found in arid scrublands and deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Vocalizations of the Ladder-backed woodpecker include a rattling call or whinny that sounds like “yurrr”. It also makes a sharp “pik” call.
Its drumming is a slow, steady roll that lasts about 3-5 seconds. The drumming accelerates slightly at the end.
Lewis’s Woodpecker
Lewis’s woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker with dark greenish-black plumage, a red face, and gray collar. It inhabits open pine forests and burned or logged areas.
The most common vocalization of Lewis’s woodpecker is a loud, descending whinny that sounds like “queeah”. It also makes clicking sounds and a sharp “pit” call.
Its drumming pattern consists of a slow double tap followed by a fast roll that lasts 2-3 seconds. The pattern has an unusual stuttering or hiccupping quality.
Northern Flicker
The Northern flicker is a large woodpecker with brown barred plumage and black spots. Its underwings and tail are yellow. It is found in open woods, parks, and suburban areas.
The Northern flicker makes a loud, repeating vocalization that sounds like “kyeah”. Its other calls include wicka-wicka-wicka and a sharp peek.
Its drumming is a loud, fast roll that lasts about 8-12 seconds. The drumming begins slowly then accelerates to an extremely fast pace by the end.
Red-naped Sapsucker
The Red-naped sapsucker is a medium-sized woodpecker with red on the crown and nape. It has white stripes on its black back and white underparts. It inhabits mountain forests and riparian woodlands.
Vocalizations include a cat-like mewing, a whistled “peeee”, and a harsh “chyurr”.
Its drumming pattern is a series of evenly spaced, rapid taps. The drumming lasts about 3 seconds before pausing briefly and then restarting for another 2-3 seconds.
Identifying Woodpeckers by Sound
When identifying woodpeckers by ear, pay attention to the tempo, pitch, and quality of vocalizations and drumming. Consider the following differences:
- The Gila woodpecker gives a rattling call unlike other woodpeckers.
- The Gilded flicker’s sharp “kyeah” call ascends in pitch.
- The Ladder-backed woodpecker makes a whinny and sharp “pik”.
- Lewis’s woodpecker has a descending whinny and hiccup-like drum.
- The Northern flicker’s drum accelerates to a fast roll.
- The Red-naped sapsucker makes an evenly-spaced, metronomic drum.
The duration, speed, and repetition rate of drumming can also help distinguish species. Becoming familiar with each species’ unique vocalizations by listening to audio recordings can make identification much easier.
When and Why Woodpeckers Call and Drum
Woodpeckers vocalize and drum more frequently during the breeding season, which runs from spring through early summer in Arizona. Drumming plays an important role in attracting a mate and defending territory.
Woodpeckers may also vocalize and drum during other times of year for several reasons:
- To communicate with family groups
- To signal alarm or warn of predators
- To announce their presence at food sources like feeders
- To defend winter foraging territory
In spring and early summer, the main function of drumming is breeding related. But woodpeckers can be heard drumming and calling throughout the year for other reasons as well.
How to Attract Woodpeckers
To increase your chances of seeing and hearing woodpeckers, try the following tips:
- Leave dead trees and fallen limbs intact, which provide nesting sites.
- Avoid removing snags from your property.
- Plant native trees like oak, pine, and juniper that attract insects.
- Offer suet feeders with suet cages specifically designed for woodpeckers.
- Use peanut feeders to offer a high-protein food source.
- Provide a fresh water source like a birdbath or dripler.
- Reduce pesticide use, which reduces the insects woodpeckers feed on.
- Install nest boxes targeted for specific woodpecker species.
Making your yard woodpecker-friendly will allow you to observe and listen to these lively birds up close.
Fun Facts About Arizona Woodpeckers
- Woodpeckers have specially adapted feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward to better grip vertical surfaces.
- Their skulls and beaks are reinforced to absorb the impact of drumming without injury.
- Special muscles and bristles around the nostrils keep woodpeckers from inhaling wood dust when drilling.
- Some species like the Gila woodpecker store acorns in granary trees for later feeding.
- Woodpeckers lap up sap from wells they drill with their specialized tongues.
- Parents may incubate eggs inside the nest cavity for up to two weeks before hatching.
- Woodpeckers are unable to walk or hop. They can only climb, fly, and perch vertically.
Conclusion
Woodpeckers are a unique family of birds that add an energetic presence to yards and natural areas. Getting to know the characteristic vocalizations of each species found in your region is key to identifying them by ear.
Woodpeckers communicate and signal using an array of calls, drumming patterns, and other sounds. Every species has its own distinctive style of drumming and calling. Listening carefully to tempo, pitch, repetition, and other auditory details can help you distinguish species in the field.
Attracting woodpeckers to your own property allows you to observe these birds up close and enjoy their voices and drumming behaviors throughout the seasons. So open your ears and get to know the woodpeckers in your area!