Ladder-backed Woodpecker in December
Where ladder-backed woodpeckers are in December, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
December in the Ladder-backed Woodpecker's year
December is the start of the true winter season. Birds are settled into winter ranges and flocking behavior peaks — mixed flocks move through woods and yards together, and feeding stations become social hubs. Short days mean birds must find most of their food in a few hours of daylight.
For the Ladder-backed Woodpecker specifically, December is a winter month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 8 states and provinces where ladder-backed woodpeckers occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where ladder-backed woodpeckers are in December
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- year-round resident
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In December, ladder-backed woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in December
Ladder-backed woodpeckers are not nesting in December. The season runs April–June at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, ladder-backed woodpeckers put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in December
- Insects
A desert woodpecker of mesquite and cactus; small and quiet.
Feeders are busiest at dawn and dusk as birds fuel up against long cold nights. Suet and other high-fat foods earn their keep this month.
Full Ladder-backed Woodpecker diet guide → · Best feeder for ladder-backed woodpeckers →
Watching ladder-backed woodpeckers this month
Ladder-backed woodpeckers are settled and predictable in December, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region ladder-backed woodpeckers are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Ladder-backed Woodpecker month by month
Ladder-backed Woodpecker by state
Frequently asked
Where are ladder-backed woodpeckers in December?
In December, ladder-backed woodpeckers are absent in the South, year-round resident across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do ladder-backed woodpeckers nest in December?
No — ladder-backed woodpeckers typically nest April through June at mid-latitudes.
What do ladder-backed woodpeckers eat in December?
Insects.
Sources
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Ladder-backed Woodpecker — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.