• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Taxonomic note
Dryobates scalaris (del Hoyo and Collar 2014) was previously placed in the genus Picoides.

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

Population justification: The global population has been estimated at 5,500,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2020). In North America (USA and Canada), the total population size is estimated at 2,400,000 mature individuals (Partners in Flight 2020). This species is considered to have a medium dependency on forest habitat, and tree cover is estimated to have declined by 7.1% within its mapped range over the past three generations (10 years) (Global Forest Watch 2022, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). In North America (USA and Canada), the species' population trend is not known, however it is noted that it is common in Mexico, which holds well over half of the total population, it is reported to be common, even in heavily disturbed areas (Partners in Flight 2024). Based on this data, the global population size is considered to be stable over three generations.

Trend justification: This species has had stable population trends over the last 40 years in North America (data from Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven 2007). Note, however, that these surveys cover less than 50% of the species's range in North America.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Ladder-backed Woodpecker Dryobates scalaris. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/ladder-backed-woodpecker-dryobates-scalaris on 27/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 27/12/2024.