Ladderbacked

The Ladderbacked, or ladder-backed woodpecker, Dryobates scalaris, is a small North American woodpecker in the family Picidae. The name refers to the ladder-like pattern created by light bars across its dark back.

Description and taxonomy: Adult ladder-backed woodpeckers are about 14 to 15 centimeters long. They have a white face with a dark malar line, and the crown is red in males and black in females. The back shows a distinctive series of narrow white bars on a dark background, giving the bird its characteristic ladder-like appearance. Bobwhite-like markings are generally more subdued in juveniles.

Range and habitat: The species ranges from the southwestern United States and Mexico through Central America and into parts of northern South America. It favors open woodlands, scrub, and edge habitats, including mesquite and palo verde-dominated areas, oak groves, and agricultural or suburban landscapes where trees are present.

Ecology and behavior: Ladder-backed woodpeckers forage primarily on trunks and large limbs, probing for wood-boring insects and their larvae. They may also glean from bark and, less commonly, feed on fruits or seeds. They drum to communicate and establish territory, and have a steady, repeatable call.

Breeding: The species nests in tree cavities, usually excavated by the pair or use existing holes. The clutch typically comprises 3 to 6 eggs, with both parents incubating and feeding the young. Nestlings fledge after several weeks, depending on environmental conditions.

Conservation: The ladder-backed woodpecker is currently listed as Least Concern by major conservation organizations, with a broad distribution and a stable overall population. Local declines can occur due to habitat loss and fragmentation, but there are no widespread threats driving the species toward the edge of its range.