The little woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile, Suriname, and Uruguay.
Region
South America
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across tropical South America, found in every mainland country except Chile, Suriname, and Uruguay. It inhabits humid lowland rainforest, riverine and gallery woodland, and secondary growth. It also uses semi-open woodlands, forest edges, and disturbed habitats such as plantations and scrubby clearings. The species typically forages in the mid to upper canopy, especially on small branches and vine tangles.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of the smallest woodpeckers in South America, it often forages quietly on thin branches and twigs rather than heavy trunks. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks in forests and edge habitats. Males have a red crown while females lack red, aiding quick field identification. Its drumming is soft and brief compared to larger woodpeckers.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
undulating flight with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy. Nests in cavities excavated in soft or decaying wood. Pairs maintain small territories during breeding while still ranging widely to forage.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are thin, high-pitched peek and tsee notes, often given in short series. It also produces a brief, soft rattle and weak, rapid drumming that can be easy to miss in canopy noise.
Plumage
Fine brown barring on the back and wings, with buffy to whitish streaked underparts. The face shows pale streaking and a faint supercilium. Males have a red crown; females show a brownish crown with pale spotting. Tail is dark with pale barring.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods, including ants, beetles, and their larvae, as well as other soft-bodied insects. It gleans prey from bark, twigs, and leaf clusters, and probes crevices rather than heavy chiseling. Occasionally takes small caterpillars and other invertebrates found on thin branches.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly in the mid to upper canopy of forests, edges, and secondary growth. Often works along fine branches, vine tangles, and dead limb stubs where small insects are abundant.
