Dryobates is a genus of woodpeckers in the Picidae family. It contains of the following species: \n* Nuttall's woodpecker Dryobates nuttalli \n* Downy woodpecker Dryobates pubescens \n* Ladder-backed woodpecker Dryobates scalaris \n* Lesser spotted woodpecker Dryobates minor \n* Scarlet-breasted woodpecker Dryobates cathpharius \n* Crimson-breasted woodpecker Dryobates pernyii The name of the genus was introduced by the German naturalist Friedrich Boie in 1826. The word Dryobates is from the Greek druos meaning woodland and batēs meaning walker.