Ladder-backed Woodpecker

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a small resident of arid brushland across the southwestern United States and much of Mexico, named for the tight rungs of black-and-white barring across its back. It is often found working mesquite, cactus, and desert scrub rather than tall forest.

Its buffy face with black stripes and small size help separate it from larger desert woodpeckers, while the evenly spaced ladder-like barring on the back distinguishes it from similarly patterned relatives.

• Back: tightly and evenly barred black-and-white, forming a ladder-like pattern
• Face: buffy-tan with black stripes through the eye and cheek
• Crown: red patch on males, confined mostly to the rear crown; females lack red
• Underparts: pale buffy-white with light spotting on the flanks
• Vs. Nuttall's Woodpecker: Ladder-backed shows more spotting on the flanks and a buffier face, while Nuttall's has a cleaner white underside and a more solid black nape band; ranges mostly separate desert scrub from California oak woodland

Males show a red crown patch extending onto the rear crown; females have an all-black crown without red. Juveniles show a duller, more diffuse version of the adult pattern, sometimes with a smudgy red crown patch in young males. A single annual molt follows the breeding season.

Resident across desert scrub, mesquite thickets, and arid woodland from the southwestern United States through Mexico into Central America. It does not migrate and remains on territory year-round.

Forages on small branches, cactus, and low scrub for insects and their larvae, gleaning and pecking rather than doing heavy excavation. Nests are placed in cavities in agave stalks, cactus, mesquite, or fence posts. Its call is a sharp, dry rattling note, and drumming is quick but relatively quiet given its small size.