You can identify this male great spotted woodpecker by observing the distinct colouring of the red spot on the nape of its neck and on the lower part of its belly but it is important to note that the juveniles have a red cap. The distinct difference between the female and the male is that the female has a black and white head with no red colouring on the head. One must also not confuse this with the lesser spotted woodpecker which does not have the white bar on the wing and is much smaller and less frequently spotted.