Scarlet-backed Woodpecker vs Yellow-vented Woodpecker

Scarlet-backed Woodpecker

Veniliornis callonotus

Small26 gShrubland

The scarlet-backed woodpecker is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long and weighs 23 to 33 g (0.81 to 1.2 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Adults of both sexes of the nominate subspecies have a generally grayish brown and white face. Males are red from forehead to nape with black tips on many feathers. The female is entirely black there. Both sexes' upperparts are brownish-scarlet. Their flight feathers are dark brown with redder secondaries and tertials. Voice: The scarlet-backed woodpecker's most common call is "a rattle, 1-2 seconds long". It also makes a "sharp 'ki-dik', sometimes in short fast series."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Allan Harris · CC0

Yellow-vented Woodpecker

Veniliornis dignus

Small38 gForest

The yellow-vented woodpecker is 16 to 17 cm (6.3 to 6.7 in) long and weighs 35 to 46 g (1.2 to 1.6 oz). Males and females have the same plumage except on their heads. Adults of both sexes of the nominate subspecies have a mostly blackish olive face with white stripes behind and below the eye. Males are red from forehead to nape with black feather bases showing through. The female is entirely blackish there. Both sexes' mantle and back are yellow-green with a bronze tinge; their rump and uppertail coverts are barred with light and dark olive. Their flight feathers are brownish olive. Voice: The yellow-vented woodpecker is not very vocal, but does make "a fast, rattled 'krrrrrrrrrrrrrrr'."

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Guy Babineau · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Scarlet-backed Woodpecker and Yellow-vented Woodpecker.