| Black-backed
Woodpecker Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Medium-sized black and white woodpecker - Black head - Narrow postocular streak - White moustachial stripe widens at rear margin and extends along lower margin of auriculars - White throat, breast, and belly - White flanks with black barring - Entirely black back - Black wings marked with white spots on flight feathers - Black rump - Black tail with white outer tail feathers Adult male - Yellow cap at top of head with fuzzy edges Similar species All other woodpecker have white or barred backs, and Downy and Hairy woodpeckers have unbarred flanks. Only Three-toed Woodpecker could be confused with the Black-backed Woodpecker. Black-backed Woodpecker is distinguished from the Three-toed Woodpecker by the entirely black back, postocular stripe which does not extend down neck, and wholly white outer tail feathers. |
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