The Northern Flicker

Although there are no improved facilities in Gardner Canyon on the east side of the Santa Ritas, there are plenty of spots to pull off and spread out a blanket or sit on a tailgate. The are a number of trails taking off from this area, including a portion of the Arizona Trail.  Trails on the south side of the Santa Rita Mountains are quiet compared to the highly visited area of Madera Canyon. While they are a bit remote, the drive is worth the extra time. Using Box Canyon Road from Madera Canyon Road will take you along a narrow, winding drive through this steep canyon where you will junction with State Route 83.View the list »
Picnicking in the Santa Rita Mountains is a great way to enjoy the wildlife, especially if you are up to throwing a blanket down in unimproved areas. If you prefer amenities, try one of several spots in Madera Canyon, including the Madera Picnic Area and the Wrightson Picnic Area. Both require a five dollar use permit.

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The Northern Flicker is in the woodpecker family, common from Alaska to Newfoundland. It is a migratory species, and is sometimes spotted visiting our desert mountains, including the Santa Rita Mountains and Madera Canyon south of Tucson.

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This is a medium sized woodpecker, with black to brown bars on the back, and spotted undersides. There is a black crescent on the breast. The gray face is topped with a brown crown and head, with a red slash at the corners of the mouth. There are two races of this species, one with a red slash, and the other with a yellow one.

The Northern Flicker is notorious for using metal rather than trees to notify potential mates of its presence. If you have a bird constantly drumming on your fireplace or wood stove pipe, chances are it is this bird.

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

View the list
  • Picnicking in the Santa Rita Mountains is a great way to enjoy the wildlife, especially if you are up to throwing a blanket down in unimproved areas. If you prefer amenities, try one of several spots in Madera Canyon, including the Madera Picnic Area and the Wrightson Picnic Area. Both require a five dollar use permit.
  • Trails on the south side of the Santa Rita Mountains are quiet compared to the highly visited area of Madera Canyon. While they are a bit remote, the drive is worth the extra time. Using Box Canyon Road from Madera Canyon Road will take you along a narrow, winding drive through this steep canyon where you will junction with State Route 83.
  • Although there are no improved facilities in Gardner Canyon on the east side of the Santa Ritas, there are plenty of spots to pull off and spread out a blanket or sit on a tailgate. The are a number of trails taking off from this area, including a portion of the Arizona 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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