23-25 cm (9-10") Uncommon. Boreal coniferous forests; especially on dead trees in spruce bogs and burns.
Uniformly black back; black head; barred sides; white underside. Male has a yellow crown; females lack this yellow.
Usually shy and inconspicuous. Forages by peeling large patches of bark off dead trees.
Similar but even less common Three-toed Woodpecker has a barred black-and-white back.
Song: short sharp "pik" call.