Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Black-backed Woodpecker
Picoides arcticus. Wood-boring beetle larvae in recently burned forest.
Woodpeckers (Picidae)Black-backed WoodpeckerPicoides arcticus
- Scientific name
- Picoides arcticus
- Length
- 9.1 in
- Weight
- 2.1–3.1 oz
- Nest
- Cavity in a fire-killed conifer
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 2–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–14 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Solid glossy black back
- White underparts with barred flanks
- Male has a yellow crown patch
Voice
A sharp, scolding 'pik' and a rattling call.
Diet and feeding
Wood-boring beetle larvae in recently burned forest.
What do black-backed woodpeckers eat? · Best feeder for black-backed woodpeckers
Black-backed 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 |
| California | Year-round resident | April–July |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Maine | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Montana | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | June–July |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | June–July |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | May–July |
| New York | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Utah | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Washington | Year-round resident | May–July |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | June–July |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | June–July |
Frequently asked
What do black-backed woodpeckers eat?
Wood-boring beetle larvae in recently burned forest. At feeders: suet (rarely, near burned forest).
How big is a Black-backed Woodpecker?
9.1 in long and 2.1–3.1 oz.
Do black-backed woodpeckers use birdhouses?
No. Cavity in a fire-killed conifer.
Sources
- Black-backed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-backed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Black-backed 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.