Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Identification
Golden-fronted Woodpecker Photos and Videos
Male (Northern)
Barred black-and-white woodpecker with a tan breast. Males have a yellow spot in front of the eyes, a red crown, and a yellow-orange nape.
© Darren Clark | Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 02, 2020
Female (Northern)
Barred black-and-white woodpecker with a tan breast. The lower belly is yellow on northern birds, including the ones that occur in the United States. Females have a yellow patch in front of the eye and a yellow nape.
© Bryan Calk | Macaulay LibraryTexas, May 13, 2020
Adult female and male (Northern)
Both sexes care for the young. Here, the female brings a moth and waits for the male to leave before entering the nest hole.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryTexas, April 29, 1998
Male (Velasquez's)
Nape color varies across its range from yellow-orange in the north, to red in Yucatán, to orange from Chiapas, Mexico, to Honduras. The lower belly color varies across the range; birds in the Yucatán have red lower bellies.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryQuintana Roo, February 04, 2014
Female (Velasquez's)
Individuals in the Yucatán have red napes and red lower bellies.
© Emily Turteltaub Nelson | Macaulay LibraryYucatán, May 10, 2016
Male (Northern)
Eats cactus fruits as well as fruit at bird feeders.
© Becca Engdahl | Macaulay LibraryTexas, March 17, 2017
Adult Description
- Medium- to large-sized woodpecker.
- Back barred black-and-white.
- Orange-yellow back of neck.
- White rump.
- Male with red cap.
Immature Description
Juvenile similar to adult, but duller, with fine streaking on crown and breast, and only faint color on nape and nasal tufts. Eyes brown.Relative Size
between robin and crowMeasurements
- Both Sexes
- Length: 8.7-10.2 in (22-26 cm)
- Weight: 2.6-3.5 oz (73-99 g)
- Wingspan: 16.5-17.3 in (42-44 cm)
Species in This Family
Woodpeckers(Order: Piciformes, Family:Picidae)
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.