Watercolor portrait of American Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis)

American Three-toed Woodpecker

Picoides dorsalis
Uncommon Territorial drum

Learn to identify the American Three-toed Woodpecker by ear. Master the "brrr-r-r-r" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“brrr-r-r-r”

What the American Three-toed Woodpecker sounds like

A quiet little woodpecker of cold forests, dressed in crisp black and white. Males flash a bright yellow crown patch, and both sexes spend their days probing dead spruce and fir for hidden insects.

“brrr-r-r-r”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A short, dry roll on wood, often the best clue in dense spruce forest. It starts briskly and trails off. Often written as “brrr-r-r-r”.
Don't confuse with:The Black-backed Woodpecker — black-backed has a mostly solid black back, not a barred one.

Where you'll hear it

Found across Alaska and Canada, then south through high conifer forests of the Cascades and Rockies. In the Lower 48 it is a mountain bird, and it is virtually absent from California and the Sierra Nevada.

Boreal and high-elevation conifer forests, especially spruce, fir, tamarack, and lodgepole pine. It favors old woods with plenty of dying or beetle-hit trees.

A year-round resident that does not truly migrate, though it may shift locally to places with fresh insect outbreaks. Spring brings more drumming and nesting activity, while winter birds often forage quietly on dead trunks.

Similar species

Black-backed Woodpecker

Black-backed has a mostly solid black back, not a barred one.

Hairy Woodpecker

Hairy is larger, with a longer, heavier bill.

Downy Woodpecker

Downy is smaller and has a much shorter, daintier bill.

American Three-toed Woodpecker sound FAQ

What does an American Three-toed Woodpecker sound like?
A short, dry roll on wood, often the best clue in dense spruce forest. It starts briskly and trails off. Listen for the "brrr-r-r-r" phrase.
How do I tell an American Three-toed Woodpecker from a Black-backed Woodpecker by sound?
Black-backed Woodpecker: Black-backed has a mostly solid black back, not a barred one.; Black-backed is especially tied to recent burn areas.; Both males show yellow on the crown, so the back pattern is the key clue..
When is the best time to hear an American Three-toed Woodpecker?
A year-round resident that does not truly migrate, though it may shift locally to places with fresh insect outbreaks. Spring brings more drumming and nesting activity, while winter birds often forage quietly on dead trunks.