The dusky-capped woodcreeper is a species of bird in the subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia and Brazil.
Region
Southwestern Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland rainforest of northern Bolivia and adjacent western Brazil (notably Acre and Rondônia). It inhabits terra firme and seasonally flooded (várzea) forests, as well as tall secondary growth and forest edges. Most foraging takes place in the midstory to canopy, where it gleans and probes bark, mosses, and epiphytes. It also frequents riverine forest corridors and vine tangles and will attend mixed-species foraging flocks.
Altitude Range
100–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A slender, arboreal woodcreeper of the southwestern Amazon, it specializes in picking insects from bark, vines, and epiphytes while hitching up trunks. It often joins mixed-species flocks and may follow army-ant swarms to snatch flushed prey. Its dusky cap contrasts with fine pale streaking on the head and mantle, and warm rufous wings and tail aid quick identification. Habitat loss in parts of its range is a growing concern, though the species remains relatively widespread.
Temperament
shy and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trunks; mostly creeps along bark
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, frequently accompanying mixed-species flocks in the midstory and canopy. It forages by hitching up trunks and thicker branches, probing bark crevices and epiphytes. Nesting is presumed in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes, with both parents likely involved in care as in congeners.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives a short series of thin, whistled notes that may rise slightly and then trail off. Calls include high, squeaky chips and soft rattling or trilled phrases given from within the canopy. Vocalizations are modest in volume and can be easily missed in dense forest.
Plumage
Overall warm brown woodcreeper with a dusky to dark brown cap and fine buffy streaking on the crown, nape, and upper back. Back and underparts are brown to olive-brown with subtler streaks on the throat and upper breast. Wings and long tail are rich rufous, contrasting with the darker body. Plumage appears sleek, with close-set feathering adapted for moving through dense foliage.
Diet
Primarily arthropods such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars gleaned from bark, moss, and leaf clusters. It probes into crevices, rolled leaves, and epiphytes, and occasionally snaps small prey flushed by ant swarms. Small vertebrates are rarely taken.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the midstory to canopy of mature terra firme and várzea forest, also using tall secondary growth. Often works along large branches, trunks, palm crowns, and vine tangles, especially near forest edges and riparian corridors.
