birdsoup

In many species of birds it is difficult or impossible to tell the male from the female with the naked eye. They both look the same. Common birds that fall into this category include Chickadee, Robin, Blue Jay, Titmouse, Crow, Catbird and many more. You will never know if it is him or her.

In another group of birds, the male and the female can be recognized by differences in their plumages. Typically, the male is more colorful and vibrant, and the female is more subdued. The bright red male Cardinal versus the more restrained female. The male Mallard with its glossy green head and the inconspicuously colored female. The gaudy male Wood Duck and less flashy mate. Even the humble House Sparrow is more colorful than the female.
But when it comes to differences between the sexes, woodpeckers are my favorite examples. There are differences but the differences are slight, subdue, barely noticeable unless you are very observant.

Male and female Downy Woodpeckers look exactly alike except for characteristic. The male has bright red spot on the back of the head and the female does not. The same slight difference is noticeable for Hairy Woodpeckers are well.

Male and female Red-bellied Woodpeckers look identical at first glance but there is a difference – the red patch on the top of head. The red patch on the male woodpecker extends from the nape of the neck over the top of the head down to the bill. On the female, though, the red patch begins at the nape but only extends part way over the head. My favorite difference separate male and female Flickers. The male has a mustache, the female doesn’t.

Even the large Pileated Woodpecker shows a difference. The male’s red patch covers the forehead and the top of the head. The female usually has a black forehead and a less extensive red patch. Of course, when I get a good look at a Pileated I am too excited to take a good look.

Only the careful observer will see these minor differences. But they are very important to woodpeckers.