The Acorn Woodpecker

The trails on the south side of the Santa Rita Mountains are not as popular, but certainly just as beautiful and scenic. The reason they are not used as much is mostly because of the long drive. This almost ensures a hike without seeing other hikers. Try Josephine Canyon or Temporal Gulch trails, both beginning near Patagonia.The west side of the Santa Rita Mountains are far less visited than Madera Canyon. Although not as forested, there are still plenty of spectacular views. If you want to hike to tree level, take the Agua Caliente Saddle trail just above the trail for the Elephant Head bike trail. Use the road to Mt. Hopkins for access.View the list »
Madera Canyon offers many trails and wildlife viewing places. Whether you choose to picnic or hike, you are in for a real treat. All of the facilities in Madera require either five dollars for a day permit, or you can purchase a yearly pass for twenty dollars. This pass is also good in Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains, but in no other fee area on the Coronado.

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The Acorn Woodpecker is one of many woodpeckers species found in Arizona, and one you may see visiting the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson.

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This colorful medium sized woodpecker has a red head with white above the black face. The body is black, while the breast is white with black streaks. Sometimes there are yellow feathers on the throat.

Although the common name for the Acorn Woodpecker would make you think they rely mostly on acorns, that is not the case. Acorn Woodpeckers prefer insects, but do store acorns for use during cold winters. This woodpecker stores acorns individually by drilling a hole and jamming the acorn into it so tightly no other animal or bird can get them out. This almost insures it will be there should they want to take it out for a snack.

They breed in groups, up to seven males for three females. They live in a commune-like atmosphere, sharing mates readily.

Spending their days drilling holes in trees adds up. Some trees have been found to contain nearly 50,000 holes from one group.

Reference: The Nature of Madera Canyon by Douglas W. Moore, Friends of Madera, 1999; whatbird.com

View the list
  • Madera Canyon offers many trails and wildlife viewing places. Whether you choose to picnic or hike, you are in for a real treat. All of the facilities in Madera require either five dollars for a day permit, or you can purchase a yearly pass for twenty dollars. This pass is also good in Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains, but in no other fee area on the Coronado.
  • The west side of the Santa Rita Mountains are far less visited than Madera Canyon. Although not as forested, there are still plenty of spectacular views. If you want to hike to tree level, take the Agua Caliente Saddle trail just above the trail for the Elephant Head bike trail. Use the road to Mt. Hopkins for access.
  • The trails on the south side of the Santa Rita Mountains are not as popular, but certainly just as beautiful and scenic. The reason they are not used as much is mostly because of the long drive. This almost ensures a hike without seeing other hikers. Try Josephine Canyon or Temporal Gulch trails, both beginning near Patagonia.
View the list

, Santa Rita Mountains Outdoor Recreation Examiner

Ms. Strader is 40-year resident of Southern Arizona. She began her Forest Service career as a fire fighter in the Santa Rita Mountains which was the beginning of her dedication to learning as much as she could about the mountains she used to protect. ...

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