Olivaceous Piculet

The Olivaceous Piculet, Picumnus olivaceus, is a diminutive member of the woodpecker family, Picidae, notable for its compact size, ranging from 8.5 to 10 cm in length and weighing between 10 to 15 grams. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism; males are characterized by a black crown and nape adorned with red-tipped feathers at the front, and white spots on the remainder, while females lack the red and have white spots across the entire crown.

Identification Tips

To identify the Olivaceous Piculet, look for its olive-brown upperparts with a yellowish tinge, dark brown flight feathers edged in yellow to yellow-green, and a brown tail with pale buff or yellowish markings. The underparts are a blend of buff to yellowish white with brownish streaks, and the face is brown with white feather tips. The beak is black with a gray base to the mandible, and the legs are gray with a hint of green or blue.

Habitat

This species thrives in a variety of environments, from rainforest and cloudforest edges to drier forests, open woodlands, secondary growth, plantations, and gardens. It tends to avoid the interiors of mature forests.

Distribution

The Olivaceous Piculet is distributed from Guatemala through Central America and into western South America as far as Peru. It is found at varying elevations, from lowlands up to 2,300 meters in Venezuela.

Behaviour

The Olivaceous Piculet is a permanent resident within its range, often seen foraging alone, in pairs, or small family groups. It may join mixed-species flocks and is known to forage on slender branches, stems, and vines from the forest undergrowth to the mid-storey.

Song & Calls

Its vocal repertoire includes a high, thin chippering trill that often descends in pitch, as well as sharp sibilant sounds like 'sst, ssip-ssip' or 'peep'.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by location, with nests typically excavated in rotting wood close to the ground. Clutch sizes are small, with two or three eggs, and both parents share incubation duties and chick provisioning.

Similar Species

The Olivaceous Piculet is similar to the Grayish Piculet, with which it was once considered conspecific. However, the evidence for their separation as distinct species is not robust.

Diet and Feeding

Its diet primarily consists of ants, termites, and their larvae and pupae, as well as beetles and cockroach eggs. It employs both drilling and gleaning techniques to extract its prey.

Conservation Status

The IUCN has classified the Olivaceous Piculet as Least Concern, with a large range and a population estimated to be over half a million mature individuals. Despite a suspected population decline, there are no immediate threats identified, and the species is present in several protected areas.