Acorn woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
Identification Tips:
- Medium-sized woodpecker
- White eye
- Black head
- Black area surrounding bill is in turn surrounded by white lower
face, forehead, and throat
- Black chest, nape, back, and wings
- White bases to outer primaries appear as small white crescent in
flight
- White rump
- White belly and vent, with fine dark streaks on flanks
- Black tail
Adult male:
- Red cap extends back from white forehead
Adult female:
- Red cap at rear of head separated from white forehead by black
area at top of head
Similar species:
White-headed Woodpecker lacks white rump and has an entirely
white face and crown, and a black belly. The only medium-sized
woodpecker with pale eyes.