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Black-backed Woodpecker

Picoides arcticusOrder: PICIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Breeding Location:

Forests, coniferous, Forest edge, Mountains



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Uncommon to fairly common



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

2 - 6



Incubation Days:

12 - 14



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Cavity lined with chips.



Migration:

Nonmigratory



Splitbar

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.

Breeding and 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.

Foraging and 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.

Readily Eats

Suet, Sunflower Seed, Nuts, Sugar Water, Fruit

Vocalization

Black-backed Woodpecker: Song is a sharp or hard "kik" or "pik"; drums on trees during the breeding season.

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.

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Family Woodpecker (Picidae)_blue
Species Picoides arcticus
Length9.5 Inches
Wingspan17 Inches

Black-backed Woodpecker

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.

● 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