| Red-headed
Woodpecker Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Sexes similar - Fairly large, strikingly black and white woodpecker Adult - Bright red head and neck - White breast, belly, rump, and vent - Black back and wings with prominent white secondaries visible in flight and at rest - Black tail Juvenile - Mottled brown head and neck - White breast, belly, and rump variably marked with brown streaking - Dark brown back and upperwings with paler edgings - White secondaries broken by brown lateral bars - Dark brown tail Similar species Entirely red head of adult should easily separate it from all but Red-breasted Sapsucker (which does not overlap in range, and has patterned back, yellow belly, and a different wing pattern). Note the Red-headed Woodpecker's different position of the white wing patch (especially in flight), white belly, and larger size. It may be confused with the largely dissimilar Red-bellied Woodpecker at times, but attention to the gray face and throat, and barred back and wings of the Red-bellied should eliminate any confusion. |
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