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Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Picoides scalaris ORDER: PICIFORMES FAMILY: PICIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A small black-and-white woodpecker of the southwestern United States and Mexico that forages and nests in cactus.

Appearance

Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • A small black-and-white woodpecker of the southwestern United States and Mexico that forages and nests in cactus.

Male Description

Red cap extends from nape to mid-crown, where it turns spotted red, black, and white.

Female Description

Black from nape to forehead. May have white spots or streaks on forehead and crown.

Immature Description

Juveniles of both sexes have red on crown. Red feathering is less extensive than on adult male.

Range Map Help

Ladder-backed Woodpecker Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Nuttall's Woodpecker

    Adult male
    • Male has red on hind crown only
    • Narrower white stripes, especially the stripe below the eye
    • White nasal feathers
    • Whiter underparts
    • Outer tail feathers with spots and not complete barring
    • © Mike Thirkell, Lakeview, California, October 2012
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Nuttall's Woodpecker

    Adult female
    • Narrower white stripes, especially the stripe below the eye
    • White nasal feathers
    • Whiter underparts
    • Outer tail feathers with spots and not complete barring
    • © Vicki D Miller, California, March 2012
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Downy Woodpecker

    Adult female
    • Pure white in the middle of the back
    • No white streaking on crown
    • Black eye and malar stripes do not join
    • © Christopher L. Wood, Colorado, December 2004
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Downy Woodpecker

    Adult male
    • Pure white underparts
    • No white streaking on crown
    • Black eye and malar stripes do not join
    • © Kelly Azar, February 2011

Similar Species

  • Nuttall's Woodpecker male has red on hind crown only. Also has narrower white stripes, especially the stripe below the eye, white nasal feathers, whiter underparts, and outer tail feathers with spots and not complete barring.
  • Downy Woodpecker has pure white in the middle of the back, pure white underparts, no white streaking on crown, and the black eye and malar stripes do not join.

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