[paulrbyler]

I went out today and spotted a woodpecker and got some got looks but no photos. I spotted him in a park. He definitely had a red nape, but a totally black crown. But the belly was very buff colored with no streaks. According to Mark Brazils guide the White-backed can have a buffy belly, but not the Great Spotted. However it also shows the the White-backed doesn't have only a red nape, but a crown as well, except for the female which has a totally black crown. Also there was absolutely no streaking on the belly anywhere I could see. I feel pretty confident it was a Great Spotted as the red nape and black crown was very visible through the binos but am confused about the buff colored belly.

[rockfowl]

Paul,

Some of the Great Spot's in NE China can be very buffy underneath, rather like this - http://orientalbirdimages.org/search...ID=&pagesize=1

I'd trust your own judgement, no streaking, not White-backed - http://orientalbirdimages.org/birdim...=67&pagesize=1