Medium-sized woodpecker, distinctive in its limited range. Buffy below and black above, with barred black-and-white flanks. White stripe runs down center of back. Head pattern distinctive: black mask, yellow forehead, red crown, and yellow nape. Female similar but has black, not red, on crown. Most similar to Black-cheeked Woodpecker but no range overlap; also compare Hoffmann’s and Red-crowned Woodpeckers (but note Golden-naped’s solid black wings, not barred, and black mask). Found singly or in pairs, usually in forested areas and edges.