









About the Ladder-backed Woodpecker
The ladder-backed woodpecker is a North American woodpecker.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The ladder-backed woodpecker is a small woodpecker about 16.5 to 19 cm (6½ to 7½ inches) in length. It is primarily colored black and white, with a barred pattern on its back and wings resembling the rungs of a ladder. Its rump is speckled with black, as are its cream-colored underparts on the breast and flanks. Southern populations have duskier buff breasts and distinctly smaller bills. Adult males have a red crown patch that is smaller in immatures and lacking in adult females.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Ladder-backed Woodpecker sounds like
Where the Ladder-backed Woodpecker lives
When to see the Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Peak activity in April · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorThis is the smallest European woodpecker, with adults being 14 to 16.5 cm (5.5 to 6.5 in) long with a wing span of 24 to 29 cm (9.4 to 11.4 in) and weighing 17 to 25 g (0.60 to 0.88 oz).
Crimson-naped WoodpeckerDryobates cathphariusThe mantle, back and wings are black, with some white spotting and light barring on the wings and one larger white patch.
Side by side: Downy Woodpecker vs Ladder-backed Woodpecker · Ladder-backed Woodpecker vs Nuttall's Woodpecker · Ladder-backed Woodpecker vs Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Learn the Ladder-backed Woodpecker in BeakBrain
Photo and call practice, free in any browser.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.