The planalto woodcreeper is a sub-oscine passerine bird in subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Region
Southeastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southeastern and south-central Brazil into eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and northern Uruguay. Inhabits humid and semi-humid forests including Atlantic Forest, Araucaria moist forests, gallery and riparian woodlands, as well as mature secondary growth. It also uses forest edges and tall woodland remnants and may forage in shaded plantations such as eucalyptus. Prefers areas with large trees and abundant standing dead wood for nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large woodcreeper of the Brazilian Planalto and adjacent regions, it climbs trunks using stiff tail feathers as a prop. Its broad, slightly downcurved bill is adapted for prying bark and probing crevices for hidden prey. It often joins mixed-species flocks and may attend army-ant swarms to snatch flushed arthropods. Nests are typically placed in natural cavities or dead snags.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, undulating between trunks
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, frequently joining mixed-species flocks as it forages along trunks and large branches. It ascends trees in a hitching manner, using its stiff tail for support. Nests in tree cavities or dead snags; clutch size is small and both parents participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a loud series of clear, descending whistles, often given from mid to upper canopy perches. Calls include sharp, ringing notes and harsher contact calls used while foraging.
Plumage
Warm brown woodcreeper with bold whitish to buff streaking on the head, throat, and breast, fading on the belly; wings and tail are rich rufous. Feathers are sleek with a slightly glossy tone on the upperparts.
Diet
Eats primarily arthropods such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and roaches; occasionally takes small vertebrates like tree frogs or lizards. It pries loose bark, probes crevices, and gleans from trunks and large limbs. When attending army ants, it captures fleeing insects from low to mid levels.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly on large tree trunks and major branches from the midstory to canopy, but will descend to lower levels near ant swarms. Uses interior forest and tall edge habitat with mature trees and snags.
