The American three-toed woodpecker (Picoides dorsalis) is a medium-sized woodpecker that lives in coniferous forests across North America. This striking black and white bird can be identified by its three-toed feet and the yellow crown on the male. The American three-toed woodpecker plays an important role in the forest ecosystem by creating nesting cavities for other bird species and consuming wood-boring beetle larvae under the bark of trees. In this article, we will explore the range and habitat of this iconic forest bird.
Geographic Range
The American three-toed woodpecker has an extensive range across North America. This species can be found from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland and south throughout mountainous regions of the western United States including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The American three-toed woodpecker is mostly absent from the Great Plains and eastern North America.
Within its broad range across western North America, the American three-toed woodpecker occurs in disjunct populations rather than continuously. For example, populations may be clustered around mountain ranges like the Cascades or the northern Rocky Mountains while being absent from intervening lower elevation valleys. Overall however, this woodpecker occupies a wide geographic range across boreal and mountain forest habitats.
Habitat
The American three-toed woodpecker is strongly associated with coniferous forest habitats within its range. This species preferentially selects mature and old growth stands of spruce, fir, pine, larch and hemlock trees. The three-toed woodpecker favors forests with an open understory and trees infected with heartwood decay fungi or bark beetle outbreaks, which provide an abundant supply of wood-boring insect larvae.
Some key habitat features for the American three-toed woodpecker include:
- Areas with periodic natural disturbances such as wildfires, windstorms or insect outbreaks that create an abundance of recently dead and dying trees.
- Open park-like forests with large diameter trees and little understory vegetation.
- High tree density and closed canopies
- Woodpecker nesting cavities excavated into dead or dying trees from previous years.
The three-toed woodpecker is considered an indicator of old growth forest conditions. Although they will use forests with some logging, they strongly prefer unlogged natural forest habitats. Protection of old growth conifer stands is crucial for sustaining populations of the American three-toed woodpecker.
Elevation Range
Across its range, the American three-toed woodpecker can be found at elevations ranging from sea level to the tree line. This species occurs at lower elevations in more northerly latitudes such as Alaska and Canada. Farther south, it is predominantly found in mountainous areas.
Some examples of the elevation range include:
- California – Found between 2,000 to 3,500 m in the Sierra Nevada
- Colorado – Occurs at 2,450 to 3,650 m in the Rocky Mountains
- Oregon – Ranges from 300 to 2,100 m in the Cascades and northern Coast Range
The American three-toed woodpecker reaches its highest densities in the subalpine zone near upper treeline. At these high elevations, periodic natural disturbances help maintain preferred habitat conditions. The woodpecker’s elevation range is likely limited by its reliance on conifer forests, which transition to treeless alpine tundra at high elevations.
Territory Size
The American three-toed woodpecker is a non-migratory species that maintains year-round territories. Territory sizes can range from around 40 to 400 hectares depending on habitat quality and food availability. In dense old growth forests with abundant food resources, three-toed woodpecker territories may be as small as 40 hectares (100 acres). Territories are larger in more open habitats, averaging 100 to 200 hectares.
Mated pairs will vigorously defend their breeding territory, using calls and drumming displays to advertise ownership. Both males and females participate in territorial defense. Outside the breeding season, American three-toed woodpeckers may range more widely and even overlap with neighboring territories as they search for sufficient food. But they maintain site fidelity to established nesting territories across years.
Population and Conservation Status
Due to its extensive range across North America’s boreal forests, the American three-toed woodpecker is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 1.2 million with 79% spending some part of the year in the United States and 63% in Canada.
However, populations in the western states especially California, Oregon and Washington may be more vulnerable. These isolated southern populations face threats from logging of old growth forests. There is evidence of declines in the Pacific Northwest. Overall populations are believed stable across Canada where boreal forest habitats are still largely intact.
Protection of remaining old growth forest stands and restoration of natural wildfire regimes are important conservation priorities for the American three-toed woodpecker. This habitat specialist favors natural, undisturbed conifer forests. Management focused on maintaining suitable nesting and foraging habitat will benefit this iconic woodpecker species.
| Region | Population Trend | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Stable | Secure |
| Alaska | Stable | Secure |
| Western U.S. | Declining in some areas | Vulnerable in CA, OR and WA |
Interesting Facts
- Unlike other woodpeckers, American three-toed woodpeckers do not use their stiff tail feathers to brace themselves against tree trunks. Instead they use their legs and feet to gain stability.
- Their diet consists almost entirely of wood-boring beetle larvae extracted from dead and dying trees. Adults may consume berries and tree sap occasionally.
- American three-toed woodpeckers use a rhythmic series of blows to excavate nesting cavities, a process that can take up to a month. The cavities are later used by many other cavity nesting birds.
- Males and females share all parenting duties including incubating eggs and feeding nestlings. Pairs are monogamous and may stay together for multiple years.
- The oldest known wild American three-toed woodpecker was almost 12 years old when recaptured and rereleased during banding studies in Colorado.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the American three-toed woodpecker inhabits coniferous forests across a broad range in western and northern North America. This medium-sized woodpecker prefers mature stands of spruce, fir, pine and other conifer trees which provide ample food in the form of wood-boring beetle larvae. It can be found from treeline down to sea level depending on latitude. The three-toed woodpecker excavates nesting cavities in dead and dying trees and consumes insect prey by peeling back bark. Maintaining natural mature and old growth forest habitats will be important for the conservation of this unique species. Although still common in boreal Canada and Alaska, some southern isolated populations have experienced declines due to logging and habitat loss. Protection of remaining old growth stands will benefit the American three-toed woodpecker across its range.
