The Chestnut Woodpecker is fairly large at 28cm. (11") and, as its name implies, is generally chestnut in colour with little or no barring, yellowish rump and flanks, a yellow bill and a hammerhead with prominent crest. The male has a red malar stripe.

There are illustrations in Hilty & Brown, Plate 22; Sick, Plate 25; and Ridgely & Greenfield, Plate 53.