Species › Birds › Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Dryobates scalaris

CommonBird
Illustration of Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a small woodpecker with a distinctive ladder-like pattern on its back and a black-and-white striped head. It is known for its drumming sounds as it forages on tree trunks.

Habitat
Inhabits arid woodlands and scrublands.
Diet
Feeds on insects, larvae, and tree sap.
How common
Common

Not certain it is a Ladder-backed Woodpecker? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Ladder-backed Woodpecker sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Ladder-backed Woodpecker?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More birds

Lapland Longspur
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicus
Lark Bunting
Lark Bunting
Calamospiza melanocorys
Lark Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Chondestes grammacus
Laughing Falcon
Laughing Falcon
Herpetotheres cachinnans
Laughing Gull
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Lawrence's Goldfinch
Spinus lawrencei
Lazuli Bunting
Lazuli Bunting
Passerina amoena
Le Conte's Thrasher
Le Conte's Thrasher
Toxostoma lecontei