The scaled piculet is a species of bird in subfamily Picumninae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs in northern Colombia and western to north-central Venezuela, including foothills, inter-Andean valleys, and the Maracaibo basin. It occupies woodland edges, secondary growth, dry to semi-humid forest, gallery forest, and scrub, and readily uses plantations and gardens with scattered trees. Often found in vine tangles, bamboo, and thickets where small branches predominate. It tolerates moderate habitat disturbance and fragmentation better than many larger woodpeckers.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Scaled piculets are among the smallest members of the woodpecker family, specialized for foraging on thin twigs and vine tangles where larger woodpeckers cannot maneuver. Their 'scaled' look comes from dark feather edges that create a fine scalloped pattern on the underparts. They often join mixed-species flocks and quietly glean insects with rapid, precise movements.
Temperament
active and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief undulations
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs and frequently associates with mixed-species flocks in the understory and midstory. Nests are small cavities excavated in thin dead branches or vine stems; both sexes participate in excavation, incubation, and chick-rearing. Territorial displays are subtle and often accompanied by soft vocalizations rather than loud drumming.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched seeps and rapid tinkling series delivered in short bursts. Calls are quiet but frequent while foraging, sometimes accelerating into a brief trill.
Plumage
Fine, scalloped or scaled pattern on the underparts created by dark edging on pale feathers; upperparts brownish with whitish spotting or barring on wings. Face shows subtle pale supercilium and darker ear-coverts. Sexes similar, with males often showing small crown spotting while females are more uniformly capped.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as ants, termites, beetle larvae, and small spiders. It gleans and probes bark, dead twigs, vine tangles, and bamboo stems with quick taps rather than heavy drilling. Occasionally inspects leaf petioles and epiphytes for hidden prey. Foraging is meticulous and often conducted at the tips of branches where insects concentrate.
Preferred Environment
Understory to midstory of secondary woodland edges, thickets, and scrub with abundant small-diameter branches. Frequently forages in hedgerows, plantations, and gardens, especially where vine tangles and dead twigs are present.
