This boldly patterned woodpecker is unlikely to be confused with any other species. The head, neck, and upper breast are completely covered by a red hood. The underparts are unmarked white. The upperparts are black with a large white patch on the secondaries and tertials, and white outermost tail feathers. In flight, the rump and uppertail coverts are also white. Juvenile birds have a grayish-brown hood, pale feather edges on the upperparts, dark bars on the white secondaries, and some dusky streaks on the underparts.

Length: 22 (cm) Wingspan: 41 (cm)

Voice:

A wheezy QUEEerrr.

Habitat:

A wide variety of forest habitats, riparian woods, oak savannah, parkland, orchards.

Behavior:

Flight is more direct, less undulating than most woodpeckers.

Feeding:

Feeds by flycatching and by gleening insects from bark, seldom excavates for prey.