Black-Backed Woodpeckers are found from central Alaska, through much of forested Canada and down to the northern tier of US states with a disjunct population in California. Irregular winter movements sometimes carry individuals south of the breeding range in eastern states. They are (in my view) among the handsomest of N Am woodpeckers. Especially the males where the chrome yellow crown serves to hi-lite the otherwise sober “undertakers” plumage.
This species occurs in mixed-wood and pine woodland but seems to reach it’s highest density in forest that has been recently burnt. In these forests the appearance of disinctive “flaked bark” foraging indicates that either this species or the closely related american 3-toed woodpecker are present. This foraging method often consists of very indistinct tapping irregularly spaced between long periods of the woodpecker quietly searching for indications of beetle grubs. Thus they are often overlooked and even when their low volume tapping is heard it can be problematic to locate the woodpecker. Often low on the trunks they can also be very high up or alternatively on the underside of toppled trunks sometimes only a foot or so from the ground. Luckily, once found they can be very confiding often allowing for a close approach and good views.