Bird Guide

Brown-fronted Woodpecker vs Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Brown-fronted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes auriceps)

Brown-fronted Woodpecker

Dendrocoptes auriceps

40 gForest

A medium-sized, pied woodpecker with yellow in crown. White-barred (rather than spotted) black. Underparts, prominent black moustache extending to breast and black-streaked white underparts. Vent deep pink. In male forecrown brown, centre yellow, rear red with black rear neck. In female whole crown yellow.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Mike Prince from Bangalore, India · CC BY 2.0
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius)

Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocoptes medius

59 gWoodland

The middle spotted woodpecker is 20–22 cm long and has plumage similar to the great spotted woodpecker. As with that species the upperparts are predominantly black with white oval wing patches and white barring on the wings, and the underparts are white. The main differences are a red crown, lack of a black moustachial stripe, a pink vent, and dark streaks on the flanks. Although only slightly smaller than the great spotted woodpecker, it appears smaller due to its short, slender bill and more rounded, pale head.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker
Recorded by Sonothèque ADVL · Call, begging call · Vallée du Lude (Carolles), Manche, Normandie, France · CC0
Photo: Frank Vassen from Brussels, Belgium · CC BY 2.0

Learn this pair in the BeakBrain App

Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.

Play today's Daily Bird

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Brown-fronted Woodpecker and Middle Spotted Woodpecker.