This woodpecker lives in the subcanopy of Amazonian forest. Adult males have red on the head, while females lack red there.
The upperparts and sides of the head are olive green, and the underparts are evenly barred. Adult males have red on the forehead, crown, and nape; females lack red on the head. Both sexes have a yellow malar stripe.
It occurs in the Amazonian forest subcanopy and favors terra firme forest. It also forages in várzea, both with mixed-species flocks and away from them.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.