Female © Don Roberson
Male © Barry Reed
Female © Lars Petersson | My World of Bird Photography
Pair © Olivier Langrand

Black-headed Woodpecker Picus erythropygius

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Eye-searingly bright woodpecker decked out in primary colors. Combination of black face, pale eyes, yellow throat, green wings, bright red rump, and white belly is unmistakable. Males also have a bright red crown patch. Prefers dry deciduous and coniferous forests, usually in the lowlands and foothills. Moves about in small noisy bands. Song is a rollicking, rhythmic series of rather dry, husky yelps, somewhat reminiscent of chickens or deranged laughing, that often starts up seemingly out of nowhere.

POWERED BY MERLIN