The White-barred Piculet is a dwarf woodpecker about 10 cms (4") in size which is found in three disjunct areas: the Guianas with Roraima; around the mouth of the Amazon; and in south-east Brazil with adjoining Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. See the distribution map at xeno-canto.

It has a black crown with white spots and a conspicuous red patch in the male which is lacking in the female shown in photo 1. The buffy nasal tufts can be seen. The upperparts are dull brown with a hint of barring in some cases and there is white edging to the central tail feathers. The underparts are white to buff with strong black barring.