Woodpecker ID

[Rich Reich]

I believe the attached is a male Downy Woodpecker but it doesn't seem to have the black postocular stripe or black patch on the top of its head that is most comonly shown in guides. It was taken recently in Naples Florida.

Thanks.

Rich

[Trey Barron]

Rich,
This is a red-bellied WP. In your photo you can make out the red on the belly and the red on the back of the head.These guys are lager than a downy with bigger bills and the bars on the back go all the way across.

[Rich Reich]

Is it a male or female? How do you tell the difference.

Thanks for the ID.

[Trey Barron]

This is a female. On the male the red on the head goes all the way from behind the bill to the back of the head. On the female there is a gap in the red on top of the head. In a juvi the red would be similar to the female but not as bright or almost golden-orange

[Rich Williams]

Also note that Red-bellied Woodpeckers often do not have any red on their belly. Go figure.