Unusual woodpecker of southwest Arabia. Mostly pale brown, with a darker brown, white-barred wing and tail. Males have a red patch at the rear of their crown, while females are completely brown-headed. Found in a variety of wooded habitats, including juniper, acacia, and palm groves. Breeds at middle elevations, but found at both higher and lower elevations, even down to sea level, in the non-breeding season. The call is a quick series of high-pitched “kek” notes, which usually accelerates and descends slightly.