Black-backed Woodpecker

Picoides arcticusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Overview

Black-backed Woodpecker: Small woodpecker with black back, black wings with white spots on flight feathers, barred flanks, white underparts. Head has a conspicuous white cheek mark and yellow crown. Tail is black with white outer tail feathers. Black bill is long and stout. Legs and feet are gray.

Range and Habitat

Black-backed Woodpecker: Resident in Alaska, Canada, and northern U.S. Preferred habitats include coniferous forests in the boreal zone, especially where burned, logged, or swampy.

Listen:

Voice Text

"pick", "chik", "kik"

Black-backed Woodpecker

● Song: "pick", "chik", "kik"

● Foraging & Feeding: Black-backed Woodpecker: Diet includes mainly insects such as wood-boring beetles, grubs, weevils, ants, other beetles, and spiders. Also feeds on berries and other small fruits, acorns, and nuts.

● Breeding & nesting: Black-backed Woodpecker: Two to six white eggs are laid in a cavity excavated in a tree, often close to the ground. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Black-backed Woodpecker: American Three-toed Woodpecker has black-and-white bars down center of back. Hairy Woodpecker has white back and unmarked white underparts.

Flight Pattern

Alternates powerful flaps with glides.

Black-backed Woodpecker Body Illustration

● Range & Habitat: Black-backed Woodpecker: Resident in Alaska, Canada, and northern U.S. Preferred habitats include coniferous forests in the boreal zone, especially where burned, logged, or swampy.

^BreedingMonogamous

^PopulationUncommon to fairly common

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight2.5 Ounces

Field Guide to Birds of North America