Any ID requirements for male vs. female woodpeckers should be quickly answered by this guide.
With the exception of a lack of red on the head or face in females, male and female woodpeckers often appear very similar.
When it comes to distinguishing between species, take a look at this quick picture ID guide for the most popular woodpecker species in North America.
Hairy Woodpecker Male vs Female
Males have a red patch at the back of their head, but females do not, which distinguishes them from each other.
Hairy Woodpecker Male
Male Hairy Woodpeckers have a red patch towards the back of the head
Hairy Woodpecker Female
The red patch on the back of the head is not present in female Hairy Woodpeckers.
Downy Woodpecker Male vs Female
Males have a red patch at the back of the head, but females do not. The difference between male and female Downy Woodpeckers is this.
Downy Woodpecker Male
The back of the head of male Downy Woodpeckers is covered in red. They’re also smaller than Hairy Woodpeckers.
Downy Woodpecker Female
The red patch on the head of females Downy Woodpeckers is missing.
Red-bellied Woodpecker Male vs Female
The red cap reaches all the way to the beak from the nape of the neck in males, but only on the neck and back of the head in females, whereas males have a red cap on their front as well.
Red-bellied Woodpecker Male
The top of the head and the back of the neck of male red-bellied woodpeckers are crimson
Red-bellied Woodpecker Female
Red is only seen on the back of the neck, not on the top of the head, in female Red-bellied Woodpeckers.
Pileated Woodpecker Male vs Female
The male Pileated Woodpecker has a red patch on his cheek, while the female has a black one.
Pileated Woodpecker Male
A red patch on the cheek distinguishes male Pileated Woodpeckers.
Pileated Woodpecker Female
The red patch on the cheek of female Pileated Woodpeckers is missing.
Northern Flicker Male vs Female
The males of the Northern Flickers have a red or black mark on their face from the beak to the neck that resembles a ‘mustache,’ which distinguishes them from females.
Northern Flicker Male
Depending on whether they are from eastern or western states, male Northern Flickers have a black or red “mustache” that runs from the beak to the neck.
Northern Flicker Female
A ‘mustache’ is not seen on female Northern Flickers.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Male vs Female
The male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker has a crimson throat, whereas the female has a white throat.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Male
Red throats on male Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Female
Females Yellow-bellied Sapsucker have white throats
Acorn Woodpecker Male vs Female
Male and female Acorn Woodpeckers have a larger red head cap, which distinguishes them from one another.
Acorn Woodpecker Male
The male Acorn Woodpecker has a crimson head that contrasts with its white face.
Acorn Woodpecker Female
Acorn Woodpeckers’ females have a crimson cap that is entirely masked with black.
Red-headed Woodpecker Male vs Female
Red-headed Woodpecker Male and Female
The Red-headed Woodpecker of both sexes has the same appearance. Brown juveniles, on the other hand, lack crimson heads. It’s more likely a mother and fledgling if you see a drab woodpecker with a Red-headed Woodpecker.