Ladder-backed Woodpecker

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Dryobates scalaris, is a diminutive bird, measuring approximately 16.5 to 19 cm in length. Its plumage is a striking mosaic of black and white, with a distinctive barred pattern adorning its back and wings, reminiscent of a ladder's rungs. The bird's rump is peppered with black spots, and its underparts are a cream hue, speckled with black on the breast and flanks. In the southern reaches of its range, individuals exhibit a duskier buff on the breast and possess notably smaller bills. The male of the species is distinguished by a red crown patch, which is reduced in size in immature birds and absent in females.

Identification Tips

To identify the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, look for the characteristic barred pattern on its back and wings. The male's red crown patch is a key feature, while females lack this coloration. Compared to the similar Nuttall's Woodpecker, the Ladder-backed has less black on its head and upper back. Their ranges overlap minimally, primarily in southern California and northern Baja California, where hybrids have been observed.

Habitat

This woodpecker favors dry, brushy areas and thickets. It is quite adaptable and can be found in a variety of arid environments.

Distribution

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker has a broad range, being a year-round resident across the southwestern United States, extending north to the fringes of southern Nevada and southeastern Colorado. Its territory spans most of Mexico and reaches into Central America as far as Nicaragua.

Behaviour

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is known to bore into wood with its chisel-like bill in search of insects and their larvae, supplementing its diet with fruit from cacti.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in cavities that the birds excavate themselves. The female lays a clutch of 2 to 7 plain white eggs, with both parents participating in incubation. However, further details on the breeding habits are not well documented.

Similar Species

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is often compared to Nuttall's Woodpecker due to their similar appearance. However, the Ladder-backed can be differentiated by its less extensive black head and upper back markings and by its geographical range.

Diet and Feeding

This woodpecker's diet consists of insects and their larvae, which it forages by drilling into tree trunks. It also consumes fruit produced by cacti, demonstrating its adaptability to arid environments.

Conservation status

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its population levels.