The Ceara woodcreeper or Atlantic woodcreeper is a Vulnerable species of bird in the subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
Region
Northeastern Brazil (Atlantic Forest and humid forest enclaves)
Typical Environment
Occurs in fragmented Atlantic Forest remnants and humid montane ‘brejos’ of northeastern Brazil, including Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, and Alagoas. It uses mature and tall secondary forests, gallery forests, and forest edges, but prefers interior tracts with complex structure. Birds forage from the understory to mid-canopy, most often on trunks and larger branches. Its occurrence is patchy and closely tied to remaining forest cover and elevation-driven moisture.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Atlantic woodcreeper, it was split from the Lesser Woodcreeper complex, reflecting distinct vocal and genetic differences. It is tied to remnants of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest and humid forest enclaves, where ongoing deforestation is the principal threat. Often joins mixed-species flocks, making it more detectable by sound than sight. Conservation actions focus on protecting remaining forest fragments.
Temperament
skulking and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trunks; brief, undulating hops in the midstory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs and frequently joins mixed-species flocks of insectivores. Pairs maintain territories and communicate with soft contact notes. Nests in natural cavities or crevices, often in decaying trees, with both adults participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, thin series of descending whistles delivered in a measured pace, often given from midstory perches. Calls include sharp, high 'tseet' notes used to stay in contact within flocks. Vocalizations carry well in dense forest.
Plumage
Rich brown to olive-brown with fine buffy streaks on the crown, nape, and breast; wings and tail are warm rufous. Underparts show subtle buffy streaking over brown. Feathers appear sleek against the body with a slightly more textured look on the head and mantle due to streaking.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and larvae, gleaned from bark and crevices. Also probes into leaf clusters, epiphytes, and dead wood to extract hidden prey. Occasionally sallies short distances to seize flushed insects and may opportunistically attend army-ant swarms.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks and larger branches from the understory to the mid-canopy within humid evergreen or semi-deciduous forest. Most active in interior and older secondary growth where large trees and complex bark provide many foraging sites.
