Scarlet-backed Woodpecker

The scarlet-backed woodpecker is a striking bird with scarlet upper parts and whitish underparts. It is between 13 and 15 cm (5 and 6 in) in length. The male has red, streaked with black, on crown and nape while the female has these parts black, sometimes with some white feather-tips on the nape. Both sexes have the ear coverts and the area surrounding the eye brown, and the cheek, neck and throat white. The mantle, back, wings and upper tail-coverts are scarlet and the tail is black, apart from the outer feathers which are barred with white or buff. The underparts are white or cream, finely barred or streaked with pale grey. The iris is chestnut, the beak yellowish with darker base and tip, and the legs are grey. Juveniles resemble females but are mottled greenish-grey above and buff below.