A medium-sized woodpecker with only three toes (vs. four in most). Specialized for excavating beetle larvae from spruce trees.

Also called: Three-toed Woodpecker

Native status: Native; widespread in boreal forest

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 21–24 cm (8.3–9.4 in); wingspan 38 cm
Weight45–75 g
LifespanWild typically 6+ years
OrderPiciformes
FamilyPicidae

§ Encyclopedia

The American three-toed woodpecker is a medium-sized woodpecker, which is native to North America.

Source: Wikipedia — American three-toed woodpecker Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small black-and-white woodpecker with barred sides; males have yellow forehead patch (vs. gold or red in other woodpeckers). White stripe down back; barred wings.

Similar species. Black-backed Woodpecker (solid black back). Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers (four toes; different patterns).

Voice. Soft "pwik" call; drumming roll lasts 1–2 seconds.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Bark beetle larvae and adults (especially spruce beetle), other wood-boring insects, occasional berries.

Behavior. One of only two woodpecker species in the world with three toes per foot (most woodpeckers have four). Specialized for excavating bark of dying spruce trees — populations boom after spruce beetle outbreaks. The 3-toed configuration is believed to allow greater striking force per blow but at the cost of bracing on vertical surfaces. Closely related to Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker.

§ Range

Boreal Canada and Alaska

§ Habitat

Coniferous forests

§ Threats

Spruce forest loss, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the american three-toed woodpecker is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support boreal spruce forest conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Boreal Songbird Initiative
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2018