Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105351
Element CodeABNYF10040
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPiciformes
FamilyPicidae
GenusColaptes
SynonymsColaptes auratus chrysoides
Other Common NamesCarpintero Collarejo (ES) gilded flicker (EN) Pic chrysoïde (FR)
Concept ReferenceAmerican Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic CommentsFormerly included in C. auratus (see AOU 1995).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-06-10
Change Date2024-06-10
Edition Date2024-06-08
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2024)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsThis species has a limited range in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern U.S. and western México. The population declined by about 50% since the 1970s, but the population has increased by a little over 10% since 2011. It is threatened by urbanization, habitat degradation from invasive grasses, and the gradual loss of cacti large enough to host nest cavities. It is projected to be resilient in the face of climate change.
Range Extent CommentsThis species is endemic to the Sonoran Desert. It is found from extreme southern Nevada, United States south to Sinaloa, México and most of the Baja California peninsula (Moore et al. 2020, Fink et al. 2023). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF 2024) records since 2004 (i.e., the past 20 years), range extent is estimated to be 858,197 km² (GeoCat 2024).
In the United States, it is found in southern Nevada, extreme southeastern California, much of western Arizona (Moore et al. 2020, Fink et al. 2023). In México, it is found in Baja California Norte, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and western Chihuahua (Moore et al. 2020, Fink et al. 2023). It is notably absent from the northern portion of Baja California Norte, México (Patten et al. 2001, Moore et al. 2020). Developed areas, even with suitable habitat, are generally avoided (Bagne and Finch 2012, Moore et al. 2020).
Occurrences CommentsThere are many occurrences throughout the range (Fink et al. 2023).
Threat Impact CommentsUrbanization is a threat to this species because it is not very tolerant of disturbance by humans, even when saguaro cactus and other native plants are conserved (Bagne and Finch 2012, Moore et al. 2020). Invasive buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare) degrades habitat quality by reducing the number of ants in the landscape, an important food item for this species, and by increasing the likelihood and severity of wildfire (Bagne and Finch 2012, Wilder et al. 2021, Li et al. 2023). Bagne and Finch (2012) did not consider this species particularly vulnerable to climate change because desert habitat is expected to shift geographically, rather than be lost. The primary host for nesting cavities, saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), is expected to shift its range accordingly and is not expected to face serious declines based on climate change (Drezner 2014). However, saguaro cactus has been declining and the population is losing the largest size classes (i.e., those big enough to build nest cavities) (Conver et al. 2017). The loss of cavity trees could be a concern.