These woodpeckers have a medium-sized body, and they have a unique little orangey-red patch of feathers on top of their head.
They also have pale bellies and dark wings and backs. These birds will stay in the same tree for several years but will often hollow out a new cavity each year for their nests.
They like to nest in woodland areas, breeding pairs only have one brood a year that consists of 3-6 eggs.
As well as their courtship display, males have an aggressive display which they do to other males.
They raise their wings over their back and make a shrill cry to warn another individual that conflict may ensue.
They also have a unique courtship display for the females, but this and their other breeding behaviors have not been well studied.
These woodpeckers are year-round residents in almost every state, including the state of Louisiana.
They can be seen in all areas of the state but most of the recorded sightings of this bird have been in the central-southern areas of Louisiana.