Nuttall's Woodpecker
Dryobates nuttallii
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPiciformes (Woodpeckers and Allies)
- FamilyPicidae (Woodpeckers)
- GenusDryobates (Dryobates Woodpeckers)
- SpeciesDryobates nuttallii (Nuttall's Woodpecker)
About the Nuttall's Woodpecker
Nuttall's woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii) is a species of woodpecker named after naturalist Thomas Nuttall in 1843. They are found in oak woodlands of California and are similar to the ladder-backed woodpecker in both genetics and appearance.
Nuttall's woodpecker has striped black and white patterned wings and tail feathers with white. Its undercarriage is a primarily white coat with a few spotted black regions. It has a black forehead with white streaks on the sides and an unbarred black region at the top of the back. Adult males have a distinguishable red crown which females do not. However, this physical feature is present in the juvenile of both sexes. Juvenile birds look nearly identical to adults, excluding that juveniles typically have some white color in the form of streaks on their heads. They have zygodactyl feet, where the two toes facing forward and two facing backward along with stiff tail feathers which allows them to maintain a secure, vertical position on trees; typical of woodpeckers. The mass of the Nuttall's woodpecker ranges from 30 to 45 g (1.1 to 1.6 oz), with a body length of 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in). It is traditionally classified a small... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Nuttall's Woodpecker in Channel Islands National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Channel Islands National Park
Downy Woodpecker
Dryobates pubescens
Northern Flicker
Colaptes auratus
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
Hairy Woodpecker
Leuconotopicus villosus
Lewis's Woodpecker
Melanerpes lewis
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
Red-naped Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus nuchalis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Nuttall's Woodpecker in Channel Islands National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Nuttall's Woodpecker sighting in Channel Islands National Park, based on 589 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Nuttall's Woodpecker in Channel Islands National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Nuttall's Woodpecker in Channel Islands National Park in our monthly data.