Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii)

This Western species of woodpecker is common in our area. It is similar to Downy's but smaller by a couple inches. 

5/18/07 Male Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) on the Engelmann Oak above our orchard. La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

Description from the Kaufman Focus Guide: "...fairly common, from oak groves and canyons in the foothills to larger trees on the coast. Black back with narrow white barring; thin white stripes on black face. Male has red crown patch. Voice: Sharp ka-teak, as if announcing itself; also a chattering whinny or rattle." 

5/18/07 Male on the Engelmann Oak above our orchard. La Cresta, Murrieta, 
SW Riverside County, CA 

3/14/17 Female on the stump of a Monterey Cypress off of our front portico,
La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

3/14/17 Female on the stump of a Monterey Cypress off of our front portico,
La Cresta, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA 

7/24/11 Male on Vista Grande Trail, Santa Rose Plateau Ecological Reserve, 
SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Nuttall's Woodpecker

SPECIES: Picoides nuttallii

LIFE LIST DATE: 1/14/2005

LOCATION: Campground near Islay Creek, Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County, CA (Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival  "Birding Islay Creek" with docents Freeman and Worth Hall).

From Stokes Field Guide to Birds: Western Region

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 7"; black & white barred back; white face and underparts; black eye stripe is much wider than the black line off the base of the bill; the two connect behind the cheek. Male: red on the nape. Female: no red. 

VOICE: A 2-syllable pit and a high-pitched whinny. Drumming is 1-2 seconds of rapid even taps.