The Amazonian barred woodcreeper is a sub-oscine passerine bird in subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Widely distributed through lowland and foothill rainforests of the Amazon in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is most common in mature terra firme forest but also uses várzea and seasonally flooded forests. The species tolerates light disturbance and forest edges, though it is less frequent in heavily degraded areas. It is generally tied to extensive forest cover with large trees for foraging and nesting.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large woodcreeper of the Amazon, it forages by hitching up trunks and thick branches, prying insects from bark with its strong bill. It often joins mixed-species flocks and will occasionally attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed prey. Nests are typically in tree cavities, where pairs defend a territory. Its ringing, whistled song carries far through mature rainforest.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees; mostly climbs rather than flies long distances
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, moving methodically up trunks and large limbs. Often associates with mixed-species flocks, capitalizing on disturbed prey. Pairs nest in tree cavities and likely maintain year-round territories, with both sexes participating in nest defense.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, carrying whistles that often descend slightly in pitch and may accelerate. Calls include sharp notes and chatter given during foraging or when alarmed.
Plumage
Overall rich brown to rufescent with bold dark barring on the back, wings, and underparts; tail uniformly rufous. Throat paler and lightly barred or mottled, with a slightly streaked face. Feathers are sleek and closely set, giving a smooth, woodcreeper-like silhouette.
Diet
Primarily feeds on arthropods such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and caterpillars gleaned from bark and crevices. It pries and probes with its strong bill and may sally a short distance to seize prey flushed by flock mates. Occasionally takes small vertebrates like lizards or frogs when available.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and thick branches from the understory to midstory of mature rainforest. Frequently uses large trees, snags, and buttresses, and will visit army-ant swarms in the forest interior or along edges.
