Black-Backed Woodpeckers are a listed species in Alberta. They appear to be very thinly scattered across the southern boreal forest although occasionally found in good numbers in recently burned woodland. In most winters a few appear in the river valley and associated ravines within Edmonton city limits. They are usually fairly confiding but sometimes hard to locate as they often scale bark as opposed to tapping or tap very quietly and intermittently. With their uniform dark mantle and the golden crown sported by males I find them the most attractive of our local woodpeckers.