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Picoides scalaris

Photo by digishooter
Male
Location: Kelso Valley: Kern Co., CA, USA

Photo by bobsofpa
Male
Location: Ash Canyon, Arizona, USA

[edit] Identification

16.5 to 19 cm (6½ to 7½ inches) in length. Black and white, barred pattern on back and wings. Rump, breast and flanks speckled with black. Adult males have a red crown patch that is smaller in immatures and lacking in adult females. The bill is very sharp, straight, and black.

[edit] Distribution

South-western United States, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Dry brushy areas and thickets.

[edit] Behaviour

They nest in cavities excavated from tree trunks. 2 and 7 plain white eggs are laid and incubated by both sexes. Diet includes insects and their larva, and also fruit produced by cacti.

[edit] External Links