American Three-toed Woodpecker
Picoides dorsalis
This woodpecker has a length between 21 – 23 cm (8.3 – 9.1 in) and a wingspan between 37 – 39 cm (14.6 – 15.3 in). Males have an average weight of 58.3 g (2.06 oz), and females are slightly smaller, averaging 52 g (1.8 oz). Its maximum lifespan in the wild is 6 years. It closely resembles the black-backed woodpecker, which is also three-toed. Until recently, it was considered to be the same species as the Eurasian three-toed woodpecker, P. tridactylus. Adults are black on the head, wings and rump, and white from the throat to the belly; the flanks are white with black bars.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Black-backed Woodpecker
Picoides arcticus
The plumage of adults is black on the head, back, wings and rump. They are white from the throat to the belly; the flanks are white with black bars. Their tail is black with white outer feathers. There is an element of sexual dimorphism in the plumage, with the adult male possessing a yellow cap. Unlike all other true woodpeckers except the related American and Eurasian three-toed woodpeckers, this species has three-toed feet. Measurements: Length: 9.1 inches (23 cm) Weight: 2.1–3.1 oz (60–88 g) Wingspan: 15.8–16.5 in (40–42 cm) Voice: The call note of the black-backed woodpecker is a single, sharp pik, and is lower pitched than the call of the American three-toed woodpecker.
ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where you might meet both
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Play today's Daily BirdPhotos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: American Three-toed Woodpecker and Black-backed Woodpecker.