Common FlamebackDinopium javanenseThree-toed, small-billed, golden-backed woodpecker found primarily in wet tropical forests in two disjunct regions, the Western Ghats in India and Southeast Asia. Separated from Greater Flameback by a much smaller bill, a black nape, and a black undivided horizontal stripe below the cheek. Separated from Black-rumped Flameback by a red rump and a white throat. This species is a regular participant in mixed-species foraging flocks, often detected by its loud, high-pitched trill similar to that of Greater Flameback. Best told from the nearly identical Himalayan Flameback by voice.Picidae bird family
Order Piciformes · 13 selected species
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Common FlamebackDinopium javanenseThree-toed, small-billed, golden-backed woodpecker found primarily in wet tropical forests in two disjunct regions, the Western Ghats in India and Southeast Asia. Separated from Greater Flameback by a much smaller bill, a black nape, and a black undivided horizontal stripe below the cheek. Separated from Black-rumped Flameback by a red rump and a white throat. This species is a regular participant in mixed-species foraging flocks, often detected by its loud, high-pitched trill similar to that of Greater Flameback. Best told from the nearly identical Himalayan Flameback by voice.
Downy WoodpeckerDryobates pubescensTiny woodpecker, common and widespread across much of North America. Black-and-white plumage is nearly identical to the larger Hairy Woodpecker. Focus on the bill: Downy has a very short bill, much shorter than the length of the head. Also note the small black markings on the white outer tail feathers. Pacific population has smaller white spots on the wing and a grayer body than Eastern birds. Occurs in any wooded habitat, though western birds are more restricted to riparian areas. Often forages on smaller branches than Hairy Woodpecker. Familiar visitor to backyard feeders, especially fond of suet. Calls include a soft “pik!” and descending rattle, weaker than Hairy Woodpecker.
Eurasian Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisFairly large, mostly green woodpecker, unmistakable throughout much of range. Note red crown, pale eyes, and black face (male has red whisker mark). Yellowish rump shows mainly in slightly undulating flight. Juvenile is extensively barred and spotted all over, and lacks the contrasting face pattern. Inhabits open woodland, heathland, gardens, and farmland with hedges and scattered larger trees. Unlike most woodpeckers, feeds mainly on the ground, including garden lawns, probing into anthills and moving with an odd, shuffling gait. Gives loud, bright “kee-kee-kee-kee-kee” and drums rather infrequently.
Eurasian WryneckJynx torquillaBizarre and unmistakable small gray woodpecker. Note broad black stripe down middle of crown and back. Cryptic plumage and sluggish habits make it easily overlooked. Favors open country with scattered trees, orchards, farmland; nests in tree cavities. Feeds mostly on the ground, probing with its long tongue for ants; hops with deliberate, rather jerky motions, often twitching its tail and turning its head. Song is a rising series of high, piercing notes, similar to that of a falcon.
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorWidespread black-and-white woodpecker with a range that covers much of Eurasia. Note the big white shoulder patches, extensive red on vent, and black crown. Male has a red nape patch; juvenile (both sexes) has a red cap. Size and bold black-and-white plumage distinctive in most of range. Inhabits almost all types of forest and woodland, parkland, gardens, even farmland with hedges and scattered larger trees. Feeds mainly on trunks and larger branches; also visits feeders. Gives a sharp “kik!”, often in series. Drums frequently, often giving a short, fast series that trails off quickly.
Guadeloupe WoodpeckerMelanerpes herminieriA medium-sized, shy woodpecker that occupies most wooded habitats including mangrove swamps. This is a striking species, clothed nearly entirely in glossy black, save for the deep crimson belly and chest on many individuals. No similar species within range. Calls include harsh, scratchy “rarrrrr” and rapid “cht, cht, cht, cht…”
Pileated WoodpeckerDryocopus pileatusLarge, unmistakable woodpecker. Mostly black, with red crest and bold white stripes on head and neck. Flies with deep, rowing wingbeats, almost like a crow but more irregular; also look for mostly white underwings and white patches on upperwing. Pairs inhabit mature deciduous or coniferous forests with large trees. Makes large oval-shaped holes in decaying trees to search for insects. Listen for slow resonant drumming and loud clucking calls. Occasionally visits feeders in appropriate habitat, especially fond of suet.
Red-breasted SapsuckerSphyrapicus ruberStriking medium-sized woodpecker of far western North America. Beautiful plumage with mostly red head and breast and bold white slash on the shoulder. Some show vague pattern of black-and-white on the head, but always more extensive red than Red-naped Sapsucker. Also note limited white mottling on back, and no black on the breast. Juveniles are dark brown on the head and breast. Beware that some hybrids with Red-naped occur, and might be best left unidentified. Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests, descending to lower elevations in winter, as far south as northern Baja. Like other sapsuckers, drills rows of sap wells into tree bark. Listen for irregular drumming (like morse code) and various nasal calls.
Red-necked WoodpeckerCampephilus rubricollisLarge red-and-black rainforest woodpecker. Both sexes have a deep red head, neck, and underparts with a black back and wings, and a pale bill. Males have a small white ear spot whereas females have a white stripe extending from the base of the bill to under the eye. Distinguished from other large woodpeckers such as Lineated and Crimson-crested by the red neck and underparts and lack of prominent white markings on the neck. Found in mature rainforest and occasionally around forest edges and younger forest. Listen for its nasal “ng-kah” call and territorial double knock.
Red-throated WryneckJynx ruficollisOdd and distinctive member of the woodpecker family. Shows a rufous throat in all plumages, though reduced in juveniles. The underparts vary geographically: they are completely rufous in Ethiopian birds, and the throat is barred in some populations. Flight is undulating, like a typical woodpecker. Found locally in cultivated areas, gardens, woodland, forest edge, and grassland with some trees. Usually in pairs. Call is a loud, ringing series of “kwee” notes. Similar to Eurasian Wryneck, but easily separated by the rufous throat.
Ringed WoodpeckerCeleus torquatusThis striking Celeus is widespread across the Amazonian lowlands of northern South America, with a disjunct population in southeast Brazil. Overall rufous with a shaggy crest like most other members of the genus. Distinctive and unlikely to be confused. Some variation across the range: most have extensive black markings on upperparts and belly, but largely unmarked in the northeastern part of range. All birds have solid black breast. Sexes are similar, but males have a red mustache. Occurs in mature forest and edges, often detected by its series of loud, strident whistles.
Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusStriking and unmistakable in most of range; the only sapsucker in eastern North America. Long, solid white wing patch helps distinguish it from Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Adult male has red cap and throat; females are similar but with white throat; juveniles are messy brownish-gray overall. The namesake yellow belly can be difficult to see and is sometimes almost absent. Often looks disheveled, especially in fall and winter. Compare with the extremely similar Red-naped Sapsucker, which barely overlaps in range. Note male Yellow-bellied has complete black border around red throat patch, and the white markings on the back are more extensive and messy. Occurs in almost any wooded habitat, breeding in the boreal forest across Canada and wintering as far south as Costa Rica. Like other sapsuckers, drills rows of sap wells into tree bark. Listen for irregular drumming (like morse code) and various nasal calls.Yellow-bellied SapsuckerSphyrapicus variusStriking and unmistakable in most of range; the only sapsucker in eastern North America. Long, solid white wing patch helps distinguish it from Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers. Adult male has red cap and throat; females are similar but with white throat; juveniles are messy brownish-gray overall. The namesake yellow belly can be difficult to see and is sometimes almost absent. Often looks disheveled, especially in fall and winter. Compare with the extremely similar Red-naped Sapsucker, which barely overlaps in range. Note male Yellow-bellied has complete black border around red throat patch, and the white markings on the back are more extensive and messy. Occurs in almost any wooded habitat, breeding in the boreal forest across Canada and wintering as far south as Costa Rica. Like other sapsuckers, drills rows of sap wells into tree bark. Listen for irregular drumming (like morse code) and various nasal calls.