The long-billed 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, Peru, and Venezuela.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs widely along major rivers and in adjacent lowland rainforests of the Amazon Basin, including várzea and igapó (flooded) forests as well as gallery forests. It favors river edges, oxbow lakes, and tall forest with abundant lianas and deadwood. Birds often work midstory to subcanopy trunks and large limbs, moving methodically along vertical surfaces. It is generally absent from heavily fragmented or open habitats and is most frequent near waterways.
Altitude Range
0–800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The long-billed woodcreeper is notable for its exceptionally long, strongly decurved bill used to probe bark, vines, and crevices for hidden prey. It is closely tied to riverine and flooded forests across the Amazon Basin and often moves along large rivers. Usually seen singly or in pairs, it sometimes joins mixed-species flocks and may attend army-ant swarms. Its plaintive, whistled phrases carry far through lowland rainforest.
Temperament
solitary and methodical
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, moving deliberately up trunks and along large branches. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks in the midstory and will occasionally attend army-ant swarms. Nests in tree cavities or natural holes, with both parents likely participating in care. Territorial calls are given regularly at dawn.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Voice is a clear, carrying series of fluty, slightly descending whistles. Also gives sharp contact notes while foraging. Phrases are spaced and repeated from elevated perches along riverine forest.
Plumage
Mostly rich rufous-brown with a slightly paler throat and relatively plain underparts; plumage appears smooth and unbarred compared with many woodcreepers.
Diet
Primarily arthropods such as beetles, orthopterans, spiders, and other insects taken from bark, vines, and leaf clusters. It uses its long bill to probe deep crevices, tangles, and epiphytes that other birds cannot reach. Occasionally takes small vertebrates when available. Often forages slowly, pausing to inspect fissures before making precise picks.
Preferred Environment
Forages on vertical trunks, large branches, and vine-laced tangles in midstory to subcanopy levels. Most frequent near river edges and in flooded forests rich in lianas and deadwood. Sometimes attends mixed flocks moving along river corridors.
