A furtive woodpecker with densely spotted underparts and face. The male has a reddish crown and moustache; the female has a faint dark moustache and dark crown marked red only toward the back of the head. Pairs inhabit forest, forest edge, thickets, and plantations, moving slowly and deliberately while foraging for insects. Often prefers smaller branches in thick scrub where it remains well hidden, infrequently giving a distinctive shrill single note “pleeiiee.” Does not drum.