Female

White-headed woodpeckers (Picoides albolarvatus) have a black body, white head and white wing patch. Males display a red nuchal (behind the neck) patch, which is missing in females. Compare this female white-headed woodpecker with the male in a previous post (Male White-headed Woodpecker 10-28-15).

White-headed woodpeckers are year-round residents here in NE California where Leonard and I make our home.

This specimen was photographed near the Merrill Campground at Eagle Lake (Lassen County CA).