The Black-backed woodpecker can often be found in the open expanses of a recent forest fire or the twiggy closets of a bark beetle outbreak. It may be heard before seen, with its accelerating drum ringing from a prominent snag or its snarling call.

Its nest is often low in a tree; both living and dead trees are used, but may require heartrot for excavation of nest cavities. Nest trees are often smaller in diameter than those used by other cavity nesters.

It is a rare to locally common resident near the summit and on nearby plateaus and ridges on the west side of the Cascades and is more widespread on the east slope.

The Black-backed woodpecker is an Oregon Conservation Strategy Species in the Blue Mountains and East Cascades ecoregions.

Hear the call of the Black-backed woodpecker

Photo by Tom Benson, Flickr