Woodpeckers (Picidae)
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Picoides dorsalis. Bark beetles and their larvae in spruce forest.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)American Three-toed WoodpeckerPicoides dorsalis
- Scientific name
- Picoides dorsalis
- Length
- 8.3–9.1 in
- Weight
- 1.6–2.4 oz
- Nest
- Cavity in a dead or dying conifer
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–14 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Barred black-and-white back
- Heavily barred flanks
- Male shows a yellow crown
Voice
A soft, flat 'pik' and a slow drumming.
Diet and feeding
Bark beetles and their larvae in spruce forest.
What do American three-toed woodpeckers eat? · Best feeder for American three-toed woodpeckers
American Three-toed Woodpeckers by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | June–July |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Montana | Year-round resident | June–July |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Nunavut | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Utah | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do American three-toed woodpeckers eat?
Bark beetles and their larvae in spruce forest. At feeders: suet (rarely, in mountain conifers).
How big is a American Three-toed Woodpecker?
8.3–9.1 in long and 1.6–2.4 oz.
Do American three-toed woodpeckers use birdhouses?
No. Cavity in a dead or dying conifer.
Sources
- American Three-toed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Three-toed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- American Three-toed Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.