General

Black-backed Woodpecker: Small woodpecker with solid black back, barred flanks, and white underparts. Head has a conspicuous white cheek mark and yellow crown. Female has solid black crown.

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.