A medium-sized black woodpecker specialized for burned forests. Reaches highest densities just after major forest fires.

Also called: Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 15–50 cm (6–20 in); wingspan 25–80 cm
Weight20–400 g
LifespanWild 5–13 years
OrderPiciformes
FamilyPicidae

§ Encyclopedia

The black-backed woodpecker, also known as the Arctic three-toed woodpecker, is a medium-sized woodpecker inhabiting the forests of North America.

Source: Wikipedia — Black-backed woodpecker Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Solid black back (no white), barred white flanks, and a small white facial stripe; male has a yellow crown patch. Only three toes.

Similar species. American Three-toed Woodpecker has a white-marked back and a 'ladder' look; Black-backed's completely black back is diagnostic.

Voice. A single sharp 'pik'; drums in accelerating rolls. Gives a scolding rattle.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects (especially wood-boring beetle larvae), some fruits and seeds.

Behavior. A specialist of recently burned conifer forest, where it flakes bark from fire-killed trees to reach wood-boring beetle larvae; populations track forest fires.

§ Range

Boreal Canada and Alaska

§ Habitat

Burned coniferous forests

§ Threats

Fire suppression (paradoxically), forest disturbance patterns.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the black-backed woodpecker is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support natural fire regimes.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List