Ladder-Backed Woodpecker
Dryobates scalaris
The Ladder-Backed Woodpecker is resident from the American Southwest from the Mojave Desert in California, east across southern Arizona and New Mexico, and into Texas. Found year-round wherever they live, these birds are common from the southwest USA and southward over much of Mexico. Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers closely associate with cactus for both foraging and nesting.
Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers are closely related to Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, but there are differences (see <this link> for details). The ranges for these birds seldom overlap, though when working with the San Diego Natural History team near Campo in eastern San Diego County, we found both birds in the valley where we were surveying the fauna.
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: I met this bird in the margins of Pintail Landing, part of the Havasu NWR in Arizona east of Needles, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:02 8:10 |
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Location:
Pintail Landing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X8647-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I met this bird in the margins of Pintail Landing, part of the Havasu NWR in Arizona east of Needles, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:02 8:10 |
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Location:
Pintail Landing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X8648-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I met this bird in the margins of Pintail Landing, part of the Havasu NWR in Arizona east of Needles, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:02 8:10 |
|
Location:
Pintail Landing |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: D3X8649-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I met this bird in the margins of Pintail Landing, part of the Havasu NWR in Arizona east of Needles, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:05:02 8:10 |
|
Location:
Pintail Landing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X8654-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: The encounter with this male bird took place in Sabino Canyon Reserve in Tucson Arizona USA 2008-11-25. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:25 14:07 |
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Location:
Sabino Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: jcd2215LadderBackedWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: The encounter with this male bird took place in Sabino Canyon Reserve in Tucson Arizona USA 2008-11-25. |
Date Taken: 2008:11:25 14:07 |
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Location:
Sabino Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 |
File Name: jcd2219LadderBackedWoodPecker |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: I met this male bird along the Redington Road in the Rincon Mountains, east of Tucson, Arizona USA 2004-06-23. |
Date Taken: 2004:06:23 17:03 |
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Location:
Tanque Verde |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_6876LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Northeastern Tucson Arizona, near the Catalina Highway. |
Date Taken: 2015:10:20 12:07 |
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Location:
Tanque Verde |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: D721192-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Northeastern Tucson Arizona, near the Catalina Highway. |
Date Taken: 2015:10:20 12:26 |
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Location:
Tanque Verde |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: D721212-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Northeastern Tucson Arizona, near the Catalina Highway. |
Date Taken: 2015:10:22 9:05 |
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Location:
Tanque Verde |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D721573-LadderBackedWoodPecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Rincon Mountains, East of Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2004:06:23 16:50 |
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Location:
Redington Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_6872LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers escavate many holes in the cottonwood trees of the Mojave Desert, providing nest sites for other birds. Seen near Cottonwood Springs in Joshua Tree National Park. Riverside County California. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:17 18:20 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Spring |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X5650 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:11:10 6:42 |
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Location:
Cima Camp |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X6919 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: The cienega at Arivaca is part of the Buenos Aires NWR and over the years, one of my favorite birding destinations. Arivaca Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:27 10:51 |
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Location:
Arivaca Cienega |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X5612-Arivaca |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: The cienega at Arivaca is part of the Buenos Aires NWR and over the years, one of my favorite birding destinations. Arivaca Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:27 10:45 |
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Location:
Arivaca Cienega |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X5542-Arivaca |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Catalina Mountains, East of Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2004:06:23 17:03 |
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Location:
Redington Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_6874LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Catalina Mountains, East of Tucson, Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2004:06:23 16:50 |
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Location:
Redington Road |
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Camera Information: NIKON D1X, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 |
File Name: JCD_6873LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2004 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I'd camped here in late September with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:11:28 6:46 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Spring |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X0467 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Northeastern Tucson Arizona, near the Catalina Highway. |
Date Taken: 2015:10:22 9:16 |
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Location:
Tanque Verde |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D721639-LadderBackedWoodPecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Northeastern Tucson Arizona, near the Catalina Highway. |
Date Taken: 2015:10:20 12:05 |
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Location:
Tanque Verde |
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Camera Information: NIKON D7200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 |
File Name: D721147-LadderBackedWoodpecker |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:11:10 6:40 |
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Location:
Cima Camp |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X6902 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Camped with the Science Team from the San Diego Natural History Museum and gathering data as a followup study from previous studies of about 80 years prior. Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. |
Date Taken: 2016:11:10 6:42 |
|
Location:
Cima Camp |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X6931 |
| © 2016 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers escavate many holes in the cottonwood trees of the Mojave Desert, providing nest sites for other birds. Seen near Cottonwood Springs in Joshua Tree National Park. Riverside County California. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:19 18:28 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Spring |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodPecker_D5X7064 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers escavate many holes in the cottonwood trees of the Mojave Desert, providing nest sites for other birds. Seen near Cottonwood Springs in Joshua Tree National Park. Riverside County California. |
Date Taken: 2017:06:17 18:31 |
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Location:
Cottonwood Spring |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/640 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X5728 |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: Unexpected so far from its typical desert haunts. Camped with the San Diego Natural History team near Campo California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2017:10:27 7:23 |
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Location:
Clover Flat |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1600 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D5X5853-CloverFlats |
| © 2017 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: I met this bird working in this Red Mulberry tree (Morus rubra) in camp, where my day ended near Crystal Spring Texas at the Triple R RV Resort. Birds abound here next to the Nueces River. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:10 16:25 |
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Location:
Nueces River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D508574-NuecesRiver |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I met this bird working in this Red Mulberry tree (Morus rubra) in camp, where my day ended near Crystal Spring Texas at the Triple R RV Resort. Birds abound here next to the Nueces River. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:10 16:26 |
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Location:
Nueces River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D508629-NuecesRiver |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I met this bird working in this Red Mulberry tree (Morus rubra) in camp, where my day ended near Crystal Spring Texas at the Triple R RV Resort. Birds abound here next to the Nueces River. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:10 16:27 |
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Location:
Nueces River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D508657-NuecesRiver |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I met this bird working in this Red Mulberry tree (Morus rubra) in camp, where my day ended near Crystal Spring Texas at the Triple R RV Resort. Birds abound here next to the Nueces River. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:10 16:27 |
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Location:
Nueces River |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D508692-NuecesRiver |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
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Description: I heard Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers nearby at most places withing the reserve. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 8:55 |
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Location:
Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D503986-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker(Dryobates scalaris) |
|
Description: I heard Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers nearby at most places withing the reserve. Atascosa NWR was a short drive from my camp in Brownsville, Texas, and remained open during the COVID-19 crisis, when many other nearby birding hotspots shut down. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:20 8:55 |
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Location:
Atascosa NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: LadderBackedWoodpecker_D503987-Atascosa-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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