The great xenops is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to eastern Brazil.
Region
Northeastern Brazil
Typical Environment
Occurs in the caatinga and adjacent dry deciduous and gallery forests from the Parnaíba basin across parts of Bahia, Piauí, Maranhão, and neighboring states. It favors semi-arid woodlands with mature trees, riverine strips, and edges of cerrado-like habitats. Birds forage primarily on trunks, large limbs, and fallen logs where loose bark and dead wood are abundant. It is most often found in relatively intact woodland mosaics, but can persist in lightly disturbed areas. Use of mixed-species flocks is common in structurally complex forest patches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The great xenops is a monotypic furnariid known for a stout, chisel-like bill it uses to pry and flake bark in search of insects. It is endemic to northeastern Brazil, where it favors dry forests and caatinga woodlands. Often active in pairs, it also joins mixed-species flocks, moving methodically along trunks and large branches. Its range and specialized habitat make it sensitive to deforestation and degradation of dry forests.
Temperament
alert and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs that maintain loose territories. Frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, moving methodically along trunks and large branches. Nests are thought to be placed in cavities or soft, decaying wood typical of ovenbirds, with both sexes likely participating in nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives sharp, dry ticks and metallic notes while foraging. The song is a brief, rattling trill or accelerating series of notes that carries through dry woodland.
Plumage
Warm rufous-brown overall with richer rufous wings and tail, paler buffy throat and supercilium, and lightly mottled or faintly streaked underparts. Feathers appear tight and smooth on head and mantle, with slightly looser texture on the tail. The bill is stout and slightly upturned, suited for prying bark.
Diet
Feeds mainly on arthropods such as beetles, ants, termites, and their larvae taken from under bark, dead wood, and crevices. It pries and flakes bark using its powerful bill and occasionally hammers at soft, decaying wood. It will also inspect vine tangles and suspended dead branches for hidden prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks, large limbs, and fallen logs within dry forest and caatinga woodland. Most activity occurs in the midstory and lower canopy, especially where dead wood is abundant.
