STATUS: Fairly common.
HABITAT: Inhabits saguaro deserts, riparian deciduous woodlands, and shade trees in urban areas. In Texas, occurs in open woodlands of mesquite, hackberry, and ash; in Arizona, frequents cottonwood, willow, and sycamore woodlands.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes for nesting.
NEST: Builds nest in abandoned woodpecker holes in saguaro or in cavities in cottonwoods, sycamores, mesquite, or old fence posts 5 to 30 feet above the ground. Sometimes nests in bird houses.
FOOD: Probably eats beetles, other flying insects, and some wild berries and fruits; has been observed eating hummingbirds.
REFERENCES: Bent 1942, Gambona 1977, Oberholser 1974a, Phillips et al. 1964.