Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryocopus ("tree beating") lineatus ("lined")

Male Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus) at Hotel Robledal, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Dryocopus lineatus lineatus
Weight: 126-264g/kg  /  Length: 31-36cm  /  Wingspan: 49-58cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large, powerfully built woodpecker, the equivalent and closest relation to the Black Woodpecker of Europe and the Pileated of North America, filling a similar niche. They use their bills to excavate large holes in trees in their search for insect prey and can be detected by their drumming on trees.  The male and female differ in appearance in that the female lacks the red patch below the bill.

Related Species: 
Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates

SUBSPECIES: D. l. capularis, D, l, similis, D. l. lineatus, D. l. fuscipenns, D. l. erythrops

 - Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Picamaderos listado ("List Woodcutter")

A common resident
 - COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles and Hotel Robledal

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") pubescens ("downy/pubescent")

Adult female Downy Woodpecker (subspecies D. p.. turati) at San Francisco, California - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Dryobates pubescens turati
Weight: 21-28g  /  Length: 14-18cm  /  Wingspan: 25-30cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest woodpecker in North America, despite the similar plumage and theming of name, it is not closely related to the Hairy Woodpecker which shares much of its range. The best way to distinguish them when good views are had is that the downy has a tiny needle like bill compared to the hairy's more iconically large woodpecker chisel.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates

SUBSPECIES: D. p. glacialis, D. p.. medianus, D. p. fumidus, D. p. gairdnerii, D. p. turati, D. p. leucurus, D. p. pubescens

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Found over most of the Lower 48 and Southern Alaska
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Jose and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") nuttallii (named for naturalist Thomas Nuttall)

Male Species (Dryobates nuttallii)  at San Francisco, California September 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 30-45g  /  Length: 16-18cm  /  Wingspan: 33-41cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species almost entirely endemic to California, though their range just tips over into Mexico in the South. They prefer oak woodlands although depending on availability of habitat they may also be found in other areas.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates

SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Near endemic to California
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dryobates minor)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Dryobates ("woodland walker") minor ("small")

Adult female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (subspecies D. m. comminutus) Geddington Chase - December 2010

Featured Subspecies: Dryobates Minor comminutus
Weight: 18-21g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: 26cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The lesser spotted woodpecker has a bit of a reputation for being difficult to see, despite it's wide distribution. It is much smaller than the greater spotted being on about the same scale as a sparrow, it's main distinguishing feature other than the size being the black and white barred back. It is best seen in the winter and spring by most accounts, on the basis that it is easier to see in the top of the trees when there are no leaves present. I must admit, I have no idea what is going on with it's taxonomy at the minute - while researching this page I came across three separate genus it was alternately placed in, so I've listed them all for the sake of then one at least will be correct.

Related Species:

Order: Piciformes

Family: Picidae

Genus: Dryobates
Subspecies: D. m. comminutus, D. m. hortorum, D. m. buturlini, D. m. minor, D. m. amurensis, D. m. kamtschatkensis, D. m. colchicus, D. m. danfordi, D. m. quadrifasciatus, D. m. morgani, D. m. ledouci  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and secretive resident (1000-2000 pairs)

 - A single bird seen on Geddington Chase in December 2010 and again in April 2017.  

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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