How to Identify aNuttall's Woodpecker
Dryobates nuttallii · 6.3–7.1 in (16–18 cm)
Male vs. female
Male
Black back barred white, with a solid black upper back, boldly striped face, and a red patch on the back of the crown.
Female
Identical but with an all-black crown and no red.
Male photo: Mike & Chris / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Female photo: Mike & Chris / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Field marks
- Solid black across the upper back above the ladder barring
- Bold black-and-white face stripes
- Red confined to the rear crown on males
- Restricted almost entirely to California oaks
Similar species
What it sounds like
A loud, rolling, descending rattle and a sharp "pitik" call.
Behaviour that gives it away
Feeds mostly on oak bark and rarely touches acorns, unlike the Acorn Woodpecker sharing the same trees.
Habitat & range
Oak and riparian woodland throughout California.
When you'll see it
Present all year in western North America.
What it eats
Insects and larvae from oak bark, plus some fruit.
Did you know?
It is almost entirely confined to California, and despite living in oaks it rarely eats acorns at all.
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