Woodcreepers Dendrocolaptidae
This family is divided into 13 genera, of which 3 are so far listed below. There are 52 species, of which the Moustached Woodcreeper
Xiphocolaptes falcirostris is considered vulnerable. The
Greater Scythbill Campylorhamphus pucherani is listed as near-threatened.
Woodcreepers are sometimes merged into the much larger family of Ovenbirds Furnariidae. Woodcreepers are restricted to the neotropics of Central and
South America. Many species are confusingly similar, and in poor light, as is often the case in dense tropical forests, identifying the subtle differences
between species can be a difficult challenge. Needless to say, some of them are best identified by their usually distinct songs and call notes.
Dendrocincla
There are 6 species within this genus.
Unlike most woodcreepers, the Ruddy Woodcreeper Dendrocincla homochroa is nearly always found in association with army ant swarms.
As the swarm marches along the forest floor, grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, spiders, and vertebrates, quickly try to move out of the way,
only to be
"picked-off" by the mixed-species flock of ant-followers, such as this species. Many neotropical birders live for army ant swarms, including myself.
This Ruddy Woodcreeper showing the distinct gray lores was photographed at the Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Glyphorhynchus
This is the only member of the genus.
The Wedge-billed Woodcreeper Glyphorhynchus spirurus is the smallest member of the family. It distinct short, wedge-shaped, and
upturned bill, readily seperates it from all other woodcreepers. Although due to it's small size and bill shape, it could easily be confused for a
Xenops Furnariidae. Photographed on the outskirts of Manzanillo, near Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica.
Xiphorhynchus
This is the largest genus in the family with 14 recognized species.
The Cocoa Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus susurrans was recently split from the Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus
of South America. The Cocoa Woodcreeper is fairly common throughout it's range from eastern Guatemala, east to northern Colombia and Venezuela. Inhabiting
mainly lowland and foothill humid forests, it can also be found at forest edges, and in second growth woodland.
Photographed on the outskirts of Manzanillo, near Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica.
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