Picoides arcticus
The Black-backed Woodpecker is a striking bird with glossy black upperparts, contrasting sharply with its white underparts. Its head features distinctive white stripes behind the eyes and on the sides, while the wings display small white spots.
Males have bright yellow crown patches, which are absent in females. Juveniles resemble adults but have a duller plumage and, in males, a smaller yellow crown patch. The bird's stiff tail feathers aid in climbing and foraging on tree trunks.
Length
21cm to 24cm
Wingspan
40cm to 44cm
Weight
61g to 88g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Black-backed Woodpeckers inhabit coniferous and mixed forests across northern North America, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south into the northern United States. They strongly prefer recently burned forests or areas affected by insect outbreaks.
In the United States, they are found in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and northern New England. Their distribution is closely tied to the availability of their preferred habitats, which can shift with fire and insect disturbance patterns.
Sea level to 3,100 meters
Boreal, Temperate
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black-backed Woodpecker. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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