White-headed Woodpecker Similar Species Comparison
Similar Species
Acorn Woodpecker
Male
Acorn Woodpeckers have a red crown, not a white crown like White-headed Woodpeckers
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 11, 2010Similar Species
Hairy Woodpecker
Male (Rocky Mts.)
Hairy Woodpeckers lack the White-headed Woodpecker's white face and head.
© Nate Brown | Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 02, 2014Main Species
White-headed Woodpecker
Male
Medium-sized woodpecker with a white face and crown. Males have a small red rear crown patch.
© Paul Maury | Macaulay LibraryWashington, October 13, 2019Female
Appropriately named woodpecker with a white head. Females lack red crown patch. Back is solid black with two white patches in the wings.
© Timo Mitzen | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, November 15, 2017Immature
Immatures have a red patch in the middle of the crown instead of at the back of the head like adult males.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 29, 1997Not all videos have sound
Male
Medium-sized woodpecker with a white face and crown. Males have a small red rear crown patch.
© Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, May 24, 2020Male
Black woodpecker with a white head. White patches in the wing are not always visible on perched birds, but they are noticeable in flight.
© Peter Hawrylyshyn | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 14, 2018Male
The only North American bird with a white head and black body.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryOregon, August 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Male
Found in mixed evergreen forests dominated by pines. White head is distinctive.
© Frank Lehman | Macaulay LibraryOregon, July 25, 2015Immature
White patch in wings is not always visible when the wings are folded.
© Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, July 29, 1997Not all videos have sound
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