The Hairy Woodpecker is not really hairy

Hiking the west side of the Santa Ritas means fewer people. The most challenging trail is trail 140 to Agua Caliente Saddle. This is one of the steepest in the Santa Ritas, which means less foot traffic, but it has great views especially once you reach the saddle. Look for the elusive Trogan here, as they sometimes hang out deep in the canyon near the trail. The trail to Josephine Saddle is one of the most popular treks, and depending on the level of difficulty you can take either the Old Baldy Trail, which is steeper, or the Super Trail, which is less steep but twice as long. Both trails give you plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.View the list »
Madera Canyon is renowned for its bird watching, and viewing of the many species of woodpeckers is no exception. Try the Nature Trail or the Proctor Trail for two easily accessible viewing areas. The Proctor Trail is the busiest, but does provide places to sit and watch creek side.  There is a five dollar parking fee.

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The Hairy Woodpecker is another resident of the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson, and one worth adding to your list of birds. This species of woodpecker will challenge even the best and most experienced birdwatchers, since there are over 17 subspecies identified so far.

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This is a small woodpecker of the species, with black and white speckles over the top of the body and white underneath. The head has a red patch on the back. The white face has black stripes. The black tail has white on the outer tail feathers. In the northwest, the species has a gray to brown breast and stomach. Their long beak is black, as is their legs and feet.

There are plenty of this species around, as they are the most prolific of all woodpeckers. Males take over the egg sitting at night while the females have day duty.

If you happened upon of group of woodpeckers, the correct nouns to describe include a “drumming”, “descent” and at “gatling” of them.

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

View the list
  • Madera Canyon is renowned for its bird watching, and viewing of the many species of woodpeckers is no exception. Try the Nature Trail or the Proctor Trail for two easily accessible viewing areas. The Proctor Trail is the busiest, but does provide places to sit and watch creek side.  There is a five dollar parking fee.
  • The trail to Josephine Saddle is one of the most popular treks, and depending on the level of difficulty you can take either the Old Baldy Trail, which is steeper, or the Super Trail, which is less steep but twice as long. Both trails give you plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.
  • Hiking the west side of the Santa Ritas means fewer people. The most challenging trail is trail 140 to Agua Caliente Saddle. This is one of the steepest in the Santa Ritas, which means less foot traffic, but it has great views especially once you reach the saddle. Look for the elusive Trogan here, as they sometimes hang out deep in the canyon near the trail. 
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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