Bird Guide

Lewis's Woodpecker vs Red-crowned Woodpecker

Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Lewis's Woodpecker

Melanerpes lewis

Medium106 gWoodland

One of the largest species of American woodpeckers, Lewis's woodpecker can measure up to 10–11 inches (25–28 cm) in length. It is mainly reddish-breasted, blackish-green in color, with a black rump. It has a gray collar and upper breast, with a pinkish belly, and a red face. The wings are much broader than those of other woodpeckers, and it flies at a much more sluggish pace with slow, but even flaps similar to those of a crow. Its calls have a harsh sound relative to other woodpeckers', and it may use a repertoire of several phrases.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Jonathon Jongsma · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Yerrio darius raolika · Public domain
Red-crowned Woodpecker (Melanerpes rubricapillus)

Red-crowned Woodpecker

Melanerpes rubricapillus

Small52 gWoodland

The red-crowned woodpecker is 16 to 18.5 cm (6.3 to 7.3 in) long and weighs 40 to 65 g (1.4 to 2.3 oz). The sexes' plumage is alike except for their head pattern. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a pale yellow to whitish forehead, a bright red crown, and an orange-red nape and hindneck. Adult females have the same pale yellow to whitish forehead but a pale gray-buff to whitish crown and a reddish to orange-red nape and hindneck. Both sexes' cheeks, chin, and throat are grayish-buff.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Thomas Junier · Public domain

Learn this pair in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Lewis's Woodpecker and Red-crowned Woodpecker.