Dendrocolaptidae bird family

Order Passeriformes · 7 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Black-banded WoodcreeperDendrocolaptes picumnusThis is a large woodcreeper with a hefty straight bill. Look for the combination of pale streaks on the head and breast and dark barring on the belly. Large range from Central America to northern Argentina, but usually uncommon. Occurs from lowlands up to around 2,000 m. Typically found in mature forest, singly or in pairs, sometimes following a mixed-species flock or ant swarm. Listen for a loud ringing trill that usually falls slightly in pitch, where each note sounds clipped.

Buff-throated WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus guttatusLarge, widespread woodcreeper in lowland forest and forest edge. Buff throat is often difficult to see. More easily identified by its reddish brown coloration, buffy streaking on head and breast, and heavy, relatively long bill. Often found around human habitations with forest edge, but also common in more mature forest. Very vocal, heard more often than seen; listen for a long rising-falling series of rich “chew” notes. The most common woodcreeper over most of its range.

Ocellated WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus ocellatusA medium-sized woodcreeper, found primarily in western Amazonia, south of the Amazon river. Lacks any truly distinctive visual features. Shows variable buffy streaking on head, back, and breast, and a scaly buffy throat. Bill is rather straight and typically dark grayish or silvery. Most easily identified by voice, a descending series of rather nasal notes, sometimes with a stuttered pattern. Typically seen singly or in pairs, often accompanying mixed-species flocks in the understory or mid-levels. Occurs in the lowlands and into the foothills of the Andes, usually in mature forest.

Olive-backed WoodcreeperXiphorhynchus triangularisMedium-sized woodcreeper found in Andean foothills and subtropical zone from Venezuela to Bolivia. Brownish-olive overall with warmer rufous wings and tail. Note heavy buff spotting on head and underparts, and noticeable buffy eyering and eyebrow. Fairly straight bill. Most similar to Spotted Woodcreeper, which is only found on west slope of Andes. Note more extensive crown spotting on Olive-backed. Otherwise distinctive in range. Like other woodcreepers, usually seen singly or in pairs, often accompanying a mixed-species flock. Hitches up tree trunks and large limbs. Typically found within forest or adjacent edges or second growth.

Straight-billed WoodcreeperDendroplex picusWidespread and fairly common in northern South America. This medium-sized woodcreeper is found in open wooded habitats, scrub, and riparian forest. The well-named woodcreeper has a very straight bill that can even look slightly upturned unlike most other woodcreepers. Also note the bill’s pale color. Otherwise, mostly dark brown with fine streaking on the head and breast, but note the unstreaked back. Very similar to Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, but listen for Straight-billed’s slightly slower song that typically goes up in pitch at the end. Striped Woodcreeper has more streaking on the back and a slightly decurved bill. Usually seen singly or in pairs working up tree trunks and branches, usually at lower to middle levels in forest. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks.

Straight-billed WoodcreeperDendroplex picusWidespread and fairly common in northern South America. This medium-sized woodcreeper is found in open wooded habitats, scrub, and riparian forest. The well-named woodcreeper has a very straight bill that can even look slightly upturned unlike most other woodcreepers. Also note the bill’s pale color. Otherwise, mostly dark brown with fine streaking on the head and breast, but note the unstreaked back. Very similar to Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, but listen for Straight-billed’s slightly slower song that typically goes up in pitch at the end. Striped Woodcreeper has more streaking on the back and a slightly decurved bill. Usually seen singly or in pairs working up tree trunks and branches, usually at lower to middle levels in forest. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks.

Strong-billed WoodcreeperXiphocolaptes promeropirhynchusVery large woodcreeper of pine-oak and evergreen forest in highlands and foothills; also occurs locally in lowlands. Forages mainly at middle to upper levels on large trunks and branches, often at big bromeliads; frequently travels with mixed-species feeding flocks that include jays and orioles. Inconspicuous, despite its large size. Note very large size, long and very stout grayish bill, and fine pale streaks limited to the head and breast.