acorn or nuttall's woodpecker

by James Hedges
(New York, NY)

Posted to a friend's Facebook wall. Was found in a house in California. She took it to a wildlife center who identified it as a Acorn Woodpecker. That doesn't seem right to me, considering, for example, that it doesn't have a black back or chest. My guess was Nuttall's Woodpecker, with black-and-white barred back, and unbarred black region at top of back.

Please help us solve this mystery! Thank you very much!

Comment
It's always harder confirming the identity of baby birds. I don't believe it is an Acorn Woodpecker and it took me some time to determine it isn't a Ladder-backed Woodpecker. A Ladder-backed's black facial stripes are not joined to the black on the back, whereas a Nuttall's stripes are joined to a black patch on the upper back. I believe you're correct; that it is a Nuttall's Woodpecker.
Darling little thing, isn't it. Hope it survives.
Your friend was absolutely correct in taking it to a wildlife center.
Susan