Feature Article January 22, 2003
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Rarely-seen Woodpeckers I think everyone who puts out a suet feeder for birds knows Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers - they love suet! But two woodpeckers that are rarely seen in our area - and I have never heard of them coming to feeders - are the Three-toed Woodpecker (formerly called the Northern Three-toed) and the Black-backed Woodpecker (formerly called the Arctic Three-toed). On January 15, however, I got a call that there was a Black-backed Woodpecker feeding on a large pine tree down Road 38, south of Sharbot Lake.
These two rarely-seen woodpeckers are inhabitants of the boreal forests right across Canada, with range of the Black-backed extending slightly further south than the Three-toed, and the range of the Three-toed extending slightly farther north than its relative. We are just to the south of these ranges, but there are occasional irruptions. These woodpeckers both have three toes, whereas our other woodpeckers all possess four. Both are primarily black with white under parts, but the back of the Black-backed is solid black in colour, while that of the Three-toed is barred with white. The males of both species have yellow crown patches, though the females do not.
Both like coniferous forests in which to live, breed, and raise their young, and both like structurally diverse old growth or recently burned forests. Living trees or dead ones in various stages of decay (snags) are essential for nesting, roosting, feeding and communication. Snags also provide habitat for ants and other important food sources for many birds. Remember that snags are not just home to birds and mammals. Insects and other invertebrate, as well as fungi recycle dead tissues of the tree into new life. Even-aged, young softwood stands have a poor diversity of insects compared to older growth. In these stands, most insect species are plant eaters, while older forests have a greater abundance of predator and parasite species.
The Black-backed is the one most likely to be found in a burned-over area in the year following a fire. After a fire the injured trees are colonized by sawyer beetles and other insects, and it is the larva that attracts and provides rich protein for the woodpeckers. The woodpecker will find an area where there is a larva (how? does it hear the larva, or is there a detectable difference in the bark, or visible signs such as sawdust or a hole made by the insect?). Making a hole by 'spitting' the wood bits out as it works the hole deeper and wider, it will grasp the larva, pull it out through the hole and in one gulp, swallow it. Then on to another site, and another worm. Apparently the insect population peaks during that first year after a burn.
The best way to locate one of these woodpeckers when one hears the tapping sound, is to look for the dead tree it is likely working on. Watch for the telltale movement of the jackhammer head of the bird. The Black-backed may be difficult to approach, whereas the Three-toed can be approached more readily.
Observations: Thanks to Helm for the report of the Black-backed Woodpecker. He also reports a flock of American Goldfinch, Eric Joss, south of Wolfe Lake has up to 20, and Bernard Mullen, Silver Lake, has 10 - 12. (I still have none!). Eric also has a Coopers Hawk visiting every couple of days, saw a Golden Eagle on Dec 10, Bald Eagles on Dec 30, and 5 Eastern Bluebirds on Jan 4. Helm spotted a Pileated Woodpecker near Verona last week, and Bernard heard one on Jan 12. Bernard also has had a Brown Creeper at his place. Thanks! - keep the reports coming - Jean Griffin, 268-2518.
