Species Comparisons • Backyard Identification
Gila Woodpecker vs Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker
Gila Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker • Wikimedia Commons
Gila Woodpecker vs Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis vs Dryobates scalaris): The Complete Backyard Identification Guide
Field Summary
Quick Answer: The Fastest Way to Tell Them Apart
The two woodpeckers of the desert Southwest. Three rules:
- Face: plain tan = Gila; bold black-and-white stripes = Ladder-backed.
- Size: robin-sized = Gila; downy-sized = Ladder-backed.
- Male red: small crown cap = Gila; full red crown = Ladder-backed.
At-a-Glance Comparison Table
The big desert zebra-back and the little ladder-back, side by side. KEY rows separate fastest.
| Feature | Gila Woodpecker | Ladder-backed Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melanerpes uropygialis | Dryobates scalaris |
| Length KEY | 9.3 in (24 cm) | 6.5–7.5 in (17–19 cm) |
| Wingspan | 16.1 in (41 cm) | 13 in (33 cm) |
| Weight | 2.3–2.9 oz (65–82 g) | 0.7–1.7 oz (21–48 g) |
| Overall Shape | Medium desert woodpecker, tan-headed with a barred back | A small desert woodpecker with a zebra-ladder back and a striped face |
| Male Plumage KEY | Tan head, breast and belly; black-and-white barred back and wings; small red patch on the crown; white wing patches in flight | Black-and-white barred back, striped face, white underparts with dark spots on the sides; red crown |
| Female Plumage | Like the male but without the red crown patch | Identical but with a black crown — no red |
| Bill Shape | Stout, gray-black, slightly decurved | Short and straight, dark gray |
| Tail | Barred black and white, stiff | Black with barred white outer feathers — used as a prop on cactus and mesquite |
| Core Range KEY | Sonoran Desert — Arizona and neighboring lowlands — in saguaro stands, towns and farms | The arid Southwest — deserts, mesquite scrub and cactus country from California to Texas |
| Migration | Non-migratory resident | Non-migratory |
| Feeder Presence | A bold desert-yard bird: suet, fruit, and notorious for raiding hummingbird feeders for nectar | Suet at desert yards; visits hummingbird feeders for sugar water in summer |
| Favorite Foods | Insects, cactus fruit, nectar, eggs; suet at feeders | Insects from mesquite bark and cactus; cactus fruit; suet |
| Song | No true song — a rolling “churr” instead | No song; drums on dead branches |
| Flight Call | A rolling “churr” and sharp “pip” notes | A sharp “pik” and a descending whinny, much like a downy |
| Population Trend | Stable; benefits from backyard saguaros and palms | Stable; the common small woodpecker of the desert Southwest |
Male Field Marks, Side by Side
Gila Woodpecker — Male
Melanerpes uropygialis
- Tan head and underparts with a small red crown patch.
- Barred back and wings; white wing patches flash in flight.
- Excavates nest holes in saguaros — later used by owls and flycatchers.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker — Male
Dryobates scalaris
- Black-and-white ladder back, striped face, red crown.
- Spotted sides on white underparts.
- A bird of cactus, mesquite and desert washes.
Female & Juvenile Marks, Side by Side
Gila Woodpecker — Female
Melanerpes uropygialis
- Tan head without the red patch; barred back.
- Raids hummingbird feeders for sugar water.
- The default woodpecker of Sonoran Desert towns.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker — Female
Dryobates scalaris
- Black crown instead of red — otherwise identical.
- Excavates nest holes in saguaros, agave stalks and fence posts.
- Often the only small woodpecker in true desert.
Part-by-Part Anatomy Breakdown
Every part offers a check:
| Body Part | Gila Woodpecker | Ladder-backed Woodpecker |
|---|---|---|
| Face | Plain tan, unstriped | Bold black-and-white stripes |
| Back | Black-and-white bars from nape to rump | Ladder bars on a paler back |
| Male Red | Small red cap on the crown | Red crown reaching toward the forehead |
| Underparts | Plain tan-gray | White with dark spots on the sides |
| Size | 9.4 in | 6.5–7.5 in |
| Feeding | Cactus, trunks, hummingbird feeders | Mesquite bark, agave stalks, suet |
| Call | Rolling “churr-churr” | Sharp “pik” and a whinny |
Song & Call Comparison
Gila Woodpecker
Melanerpes uropygialis
Voice: a loud rolling churr, plus sharp pip notes.
Drumming: rapid rolls on saguaros, palms and utility poles.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Dryobates scalaris
Calls: a sharp pik and a descending whinny.
Drum: a short, fast roll on dead wood and yucca stalks.
Range & Seasonal Presence
The Gila Woodpecker lives in the saguaro deserts of Arizona, southeast California and Mexico — including desert cities.
The Ladder-backed Woodpecker ranges wider across the arid Southwest — mesquite scrub, washes and dry foothills from California to Texas. Both share many desert yards.
Feeder Behavior & Favorite Foods
- Gila Woodpecker: suet and hummingbird-feeder nectar; bold and dominant.
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker: suet cages; nimble enough to share space with finches.
- Both visit desert-yard water features in summer.
- Nest holes: Gilas excavate saguaros; ladder-backs use agave stalks, posts and small saguaros.
Temperament & Flock Behavior
Gila Woodpeckers are loud and assertive — they defend cactus territories and raid nectar feeders.
Ladder-backed Woodpeckers are quiet and busy, working low on mesquite trunks in pairs.
6-Step Backyard ID Checklist
- Face. Plain = Gila; striped = Ladder-backed.
- Size. Bigger = Gila; small = Ladder-backed.
- Male red. Crown cap = Gila; full crown = Ladder-backed.
- Underparts. Plain = Gila; spotted sides = Ladder-backed.
- Call. Churr = Gila; pik and whinny = Ladder-backed.
- Feeder. Nectar raider = Gila.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a Gila from a Ladder-backed Woodpecker?
Gilas are robin-sized with a plain tan head; ladder-backs are downy-sized with a boldly striped face. Males differ too — Gilas have a small red crown cap, ladder-backs a full red crown.
Which desert woodpecker visits hummingbird feeders?
The Gila — a famous sugar-water raider in Arizona yards.
Do they nest in the same plants?
Both use saguaros, but ladder-backs also nest in agave stalks, fence posts and small cacti.
Which one has the barred back?
Both do — but the ladder-back’s barring stands out on a paler back, and its face is striped rather than plain.
Are they related?
Not closely — Gilas are Melanerpes (like red-bellied woodpeckers); ladder-backs are Dryobates (like downies).
What does each sound like?
Gila: a rolling “churr.” Ladder-backed: a sharp “pik” and a descending whinny.
Key Takeaways
- Face: Plain = Gila; striped = Ladder-backed.
- Size: Bigger = Gila.
- Male red: Cap = Gila; full crown = Ladder-backed.
- Underparts: Plain = Gila; spotted = Ladder-backed.
- Call: Churr = Gila; pik = Ladder-backed.
- Nectar: Hummer-feeder raider = Gila.