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.