20-25 cm (8-10") Uncommon. Boreal coniferous forests; especially in spruce-fir and dead trees in spruce bogs and burns.
Black-and-white barred back. Black head; barred sides; white underside. Male has a yellow crown; females lack this yellow.
Similar and more common Black-backed Woodpecker has a solid black back.
Usually shy and inconspicuous.
This bird is normally a permanent resident, but northern birds may move south and birds at high elevations may move to lower levels in winter.
Song: short sharp "kik" or "chik".
Videos
Watch
Credit: redshouldervids
Watch
Credit: Petroglyph100
Images
![Female American Three-toed Woodpecker](https://res-4.cloudinary.com/ebirdr/image/upload/s--91Mea0MH--/f_auto,q_auto,t_square_crop_160/3750-three-toed-woodpecker.jpg)
Credit: Lesley Earle
![Female](https://res-4.cloudinary.com/ebirdr/image/upload/s--tJh2x6hi--/f_auto,q_auto,t_square_crop_160/3883-three-toed-woodpecker.jpg)
Credit: Armandas Naudzius