The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is primarily a bird of the southwestern United States. It reaches its northeastern limits in southwestern Kansas, where it is found frequenting the cottonwoods and willows along the Cimarron River. It is an uncommon resident of southwestern Kansas where it has been recorded from Hamilton, Morton, and Clark counties; only nesting in Morton County has been recorded.
The birds lay anywhere from 2-6 eggs and the incubation period is about 13 days. This species is a resident. They feed upon woodborer larvae and other insects gleaned from trees. The Ladder-backed Woodpeckers have also been observed feeding upon the cactus fruit.