Very similar to Great Spotted Woodpecker, differing mainly by the incomplete cheek band and the lack of black at the base of the bill. Males have a red nape, black in females. Little white in the tail. Avoids dense forests and found in lightly wooded open areas, parks, gardens, and plantations. "Kick" call softer than Great Spotted Woodpecker; Syrian's drumroll has longer pauses than Great Spotted's.