They are found in oak woodlands of California and are similar to the ladder-backed woodpecker in both genetics and appearance.

[2] Nuttall's woodpecker has black wings and tail feathers with white barring.

They have zygodactyl feet and stiff tail feathers which allows them to maintain a vertical position on trees; typical of woodpeckers.

[4][page needed] They are fairly common in California with a total world population estimated at over 100,000 individuals (density of about 20 birds per square kilometer in San Bernardino County).

[4][page needed] Nuttall's woodpecker feeds primarily on insect larvae such as those of wood borers, click beetles, and ants, found by tapping and probing into the crevices in oak trees.

New nests are excavated each year by males in the cavities of dead trees such as willow, oak, and alder.