The Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) is native to the southwestern United States, extending through Mexico and into Central America, reaching as far south as Nicaragua. It is commonly found in regions such as Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, including Baja California, Sonora, and Chihuahua.

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker inhabits arid and semi-arid environments, typically favoring desert and scrub ecosystems, open woodlands, thickets, and forests characterized by scattered trees and dense underbrush. They are often found at elevations ranging from sea level to about 3,000 meters, adapting well to warmer climates.

This species primarily occupies an ecological niche that involves foraging for insects, particularly beetle larvae, in tree bark. They are known to exhibit adaptability in their foraging locations, utilizing cacti in desert areas as well as deciduous and coniferous trees in wooded regions. The Ladder-backed Woodpecker plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations and aiding in the decomposition process by accessing insects deeply embedded in wood.