This medium-sized woodpecker has a large range from Panama to southeast Brazil. Both sexes are olive-green above and barred below with an obvious yellow stripe on the face. Males also have a red crown. There are several subspecies that differ primarily in facial pattern and color of the underparts; some males have a red mustache stripe and brighter yellow underparts. Singles or pairs are found in lowland forests from middle levels to the canopy, sometimes following mixed-species flocks.