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Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Picoides scalarisOrder: PASSERIFORMESFamily: Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Breeding Male Head Illustration

Head

  • Bill Shape: Dagger, All-purpose
  • Eye Color: Brown or gray-brown in hatch year and second year birds developing to deep red in adults.
  • Head Pattern: Special (unique patterns or features)
  • Crown Color: Red
  • Forehead Color: Black
  • Nape Color: Black
  • Throat Color: Buff-gray
  • Cere color: No Data
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Breeding Male Body Illustration

Body

  • Length Range: 15-18 cm (6-7.25 in)
  • Weight: 31 g (1.1 oz)
  • Size: Size 2. Small (5 - 9 in)
  • Color: Red, White, Black, Gray, Buff
  • Underparts: Buff-gray with black spotting.
  • Upperparts: Black and white barred.
  • Back Pattern: Barred or banded
  • Belly Pattern: Spotted or speckled
  • Breast Pattern: Striped or streaked
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Breeding Male Flight Illustration

Flight

  • Flight Pattern: Series of rapid shallow wing beats alternating with short glides.
  • Wingspan Range: 28-30 cm (11-12 in)
  • Wing Shape: Pointed-Wings
  • Tail Shape: Rounded Tail
  • Tail Pattern: Solid
  • Upper Tail: Black
  • Under Tail: Black and white.
  • Leg Color: Black
.
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Family Woodpecker (Picidae)_blue
Species Picoides scalaris
Length6 - 7.25 Inches
Wingspan11.5 Inches

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Ladder-backed Woodpecker: Small woodpecker with black-and-white barred upperparts, shoulders, and wings, underparts are buff-gray with black spots, buff-gray face, red crown, and black forehead, nape, rump, and tail. Outer tail feathers are white barred. Bill, legs and feet are black.

● Song: "pik"

● Foraging & Feeding: Ladder-backed Woodpecker: Eats insects and cactus fruit; forages on tree trunks, limbs, and sometimes on the ground.

● Breeding & nesting: Ladder-backed Woodpecker: Two to seven white eggs are laid in a cavity nest made of bark chips, usually 3 to 30 feet above the ground in a dead tree or branch. Eggs are incubated for 13 days by both parents.

● Similar species: Ladder-backed Woodpecker: Nuttall's Woodpecker has black ear patches bordered by white, cleaner white breast, and fewer spots on flanks. Downy and Hairy woodpeckers have solid white backs and lack spots on breasts and flanks.

Flight Pattern

Series of rapid shallow wing beats alternating with short glides.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker Breeding Male Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Ladder-backed Woodpecker: Breeds from southwestern U.S. south to British Honduras. Found in wooded canyons, cottonwood groves, pine and pine oak woodlands, desert scrub, and desert grasslands dominated by mesquite.
BreedingMonogamous
Population
MigrationNonmigratory
Weight1.1 Ounces