Grey-faced Woodpecker (Picus canus)

Hitherto considered conspecific with P. guerini and P. dedemi, but differs from former in its less deep, more restricted red on forecrown (2), grey hindcrown with vague blackish streaking vs  black hindcrown (with some grey streaking)  (3), less dark green plumage above (1), reportedly marked vocal differences (assume at least 1); differs from dedemi in its green vs bronzy-red  upperparts and its greenish-tinged pale grey vs bronzy-red breast (3), yellowish vs brilliant red rump (3), dull greyish to olive-grey vs blackish belly and vent (2). Has hybridized with P. viridis in C Europe#R. Several other races have been described throughout species’ vast range, but differ in only very minor, insignificant characters; thus, named forms perspicuus (from Bulgaria), biedermanni (Altai Mts), zimmermanni (NE China) and perpallidus (Ussuriland) do not warrant separation. Three subspecies currently recognized.