Striped Woodpecker vs Little Woodpecker

In short

The Striped Woodpecker is darker with distinct barring and a bold face pattern, while the Little Woodpecker shows a pale supercilium and more marked moustachial line. The Striped Woodpecker's tail is more barred, contrasting with the usually unbarred tail of the Little Woodpecker.

Identification tips

• Face pattern: Striped Woodpecker has a distinct dark cheek patch with a whitish ring; Little Woodpecker shows a pale supercilium and marked moustachial line.
• Tail: Striped Woodpecker has broader pale bars; Little Woodpecker's tail is usually unbarred.
• Breast pattern: Striped Woodpecker is more uniformly barred; Little Woodpecker has broken or scallop-shaped bars.

Size

Both species are small woodpeckers, with no significant size difference noted.

Plumage

Striped Woodpecker is darker, with clear barring above and below, and has fewer, broader pale bars on the tail. It also features a distinct dark cheek patch surrounded by a whitish ring. Little Woodpecker has a pale supercilium, a more pronounced whitish moustachial line, larger wing-covert spots, and breast bars that are broken or scallop-shaped. Its tail is usually unbarred.

Behaviour

Both species forage individually or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. They peck and drill into bark searching for insects.

Habitat

Little Woodpecker is found in a variety of habitats including forest borders, clearings, and second growth, while Striped Woodpecker's specific habitat preferences are less detailed.