Family: Picidae, Woodpeckers view all from this family

Description 9" (23 cm). A robin-sized woodpecker. Solid black back, barred flanks, white below. Male has yellow crown; female has solid black crown. See Three-toed Woodpecker.

Habitat Coniferous forests in the boreal zone, especially where burned, logged, or swampy.

Nesting 4 white eggs in a cavity excavated in a tree, often rather close to ground.

Range Resident from Alaska east across Canada to the northernmost United States and south to the mountains of California, Wyoming, and South Dakota in West.

Voice   A sharp, fast kyik and a scolding rattle.

Discussion Dead conifers with large areas of peeled bark generally indicate the presence of this uncommon woodpecker. When alarmed, it quickly sidles to the far side of the tree and reappears cautiously. If frightened, the bird flies away, often calling sharply. Like the Three-toed Woodpecker, this species has only three toes on each foot.