White-headed Woodpecker Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWhite-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
Similar SpeciesAcorn Woodpecker
Male
Acorn Woodpeckers have a red crown, not a white crown like White-headed Woodpeckers
© Brian Sullivan / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 11, 2010Similar SpeciesHairy Woodpecker
Male (Rocky Mts.)
Hairy Woodpeckers lack the White-headed Woodpecker's white face and head.
© Nate Brown / Macaulay LibraryUtah, January 02, 2014Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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