Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris)

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is a bird species with a distinctive black and white "ladder" pattern. This pattern helps it blend seamlessly into its preferred arid habitats, such as open woodlands, scrublands, and deserts. 

This bird typically inhabits the southwestern United States and Mexico, particularly in areas with mesquite, yucca, and cacti.

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker prefers particular habitats that attract insects such as beetles and ants. During the winter, insect populations decrease, so it adapts its diet to fruits and seeds. 

Additionally, they can thrive in natural and artificial environments, making it a common sight in urban and suburban areas. Despite its prevalence, it often lives in the shadow of its well-known counterparts, the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.

Arizona Woodpecker (Picoides arizonae)

Tucked away in the pine-oak woodlands of Southeastern Arizona and Southwestern New Mexico is the Arizona Woodpecker. It is the only woodpecker in North America with a brown back. 

While its scientific name suggests that it lives only in Arizona, it can also be found in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Western Mexico.

This type of woodpecker has white "ladder" markings on its brown plumage that sets it apart from other woodpeckers. Males have a red cap at the back of their heads, whereas females don't. 

It primarily feeds on insects such as beetles and ants that it skillfully extracts from bark crevices or wood. Likewise, it occasionally eats fruits and berries when they're available. 

The Arizona Woodpecker is about 7-8 inches long and probes around tree trunks and branches for food. Unlike other woodpeckers, it communicates with calls and body signals rather than drumming on trees.

Woodpecker (Bird)

Woodpeckers are part of the bird family Picidae, which also includes the piculets, wrynecks and sapsuckers.[1] Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar and the extreme polar regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known that live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts, and the Gila woodpecker specialises in exploiting cacti.