The black woodpecker has jet black feathers across their entire body except for the crimson red crown. Males can be distinguished from females as their crown is smaller than the males and sits further back on their head.

Their tail is stiff and helps with balance when they are sitting on trees. They have a dagger-like beak which is used to peck trees giving them their name. This is coloured ivory white with a bluish-black tip.

Unlike most perching birds which have three forward-facing toes and one facing back the woodpecker has two facing in each direction to help them grip trees while they peck them. Their feet are colored dark grey.

These birds are roughly the size of a crow and will measure 45cm (18in) long on average. Their weight is averages 350g (13oz). Their wingspan is 67-73cm (26.4-28.7in) across.