The Northern Sooty Woodpecker is a large woodpecker of the northern Philippines. In the northern taxon, males have broader burgundy facial markings and smaller white spots on the neck than the related southern form.
The northern form is darker than the southern form. In males its burgundy facial patch extends farther around the face, and the white spots on the neck and face are smaller.
Researchers observed one active nest in a standing dead Parkia tree at Subic Watershed Forest Reserve, Luzon. Both parents helped build the nest and rear the chicks, with different contributions during incubation and feeding.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.