Head to head
Nuttall's Woodpecker vs Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Nuttall's woodpecker and the ladder-backed woodpecker look so alike that habitat is often the clearest way to tell them apart, since both share the same black-and-white barred back pattern.
| Nuttall's Woodpecker | Ladder-backed Woodpecker | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dryobates nuttallii | Dryobates scalaris |
| Preferred habitat | California oak woodland | Arid desert scrub |
| Nesting site | Oak trees | Cacti, mesquite |
| Native range | Almost entirely California | Southwestern US and Mexico |
| Back pattern | Black-and-white barred | Black-and-white barred (ladder-like) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Forest | Desert, forest |
Nuttall's Woodpecker vs Ladder-backed Woodpecker: common questions
How can you tell Nuttall's woodpecker from a ladder-backed woodpecker?
The two look extremely similar, sharing a nearly identical black-and-white barred back, so habitat and range are often the most reliable ways to tell them apart, since Nuttall's woodpecker favours California oak woodland while the ladder-backed woodpecker prefers arid desert scrub.
Are Nuttall's woodpecker and the ladder-backed woodpecker closely related?
Yes, both species belong to the same genus, Dryobates, and share a very similar appearance, despite occupying quite different habitats across overlapping parts of the southwestern United States.
Where does each species nest?
Nuttall's woodpecker nests in oak trees, closely tied to California's oak woodland, while the ladder-backed woodpecker nests in cacti and mesquite suited to its arid desert scrub habitat.