Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence under 20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (under 10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be over 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (over 30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
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.
Text account compilers
Rutherford, C.A.
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.