Black-banded Woodcreeper

The black-banded woodcreeper, Dendrocolaptes picumnus, is a rather striking sub-oscine passerine bird, belonging to the subfamily Dendrocolaptinae within the diverse ovenbird family, Furnariidae. This species is one of the larger woodcreepers, characterized by its slim build, long tail, and a medium-length straight bill, measuring between 24 to 30.5 cm in length.

Identification Tips

Adults of the nominate subspecies, D. p. picumnus, exhibit a dusky face and neck with buffy to tawny streaks, a faint supercilium, and an eyering. The upperparts are olive-brown with fine pale streaks and faint dark bars, while the rump, wings, and tail are a rich rufous-chestnut. The throat ranges from whitish to deep buff, and the breast is olive-brown with bold buff streaks overlaying spots or bars. The belly and flanks are buffy brown with pronounced black bars. Juveniles are similar but fluffier, with more pronounced streaks and bars.

Habitat

The black-banded woodcreeper inhabits a wide array of forested landscapes, from lowland Amazonian terra firme and floodplain forests to pine and pine-oak woodlands in Mexico and northern Central America. It is also found in dry and humid deciduous forests, evergreen forests, and cloud forests, primarily in the interior of mature primary forests but also along edges and in mature secondary growth.

Distribution

This species is discontinuously distributed from Chiapas, Mexico, to Panama and throughout every mainland South American country except Chile and Uruguay. It is found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters in Mexico, and various elevations throughout its range, depending on the region.

Behaviour

The black-banded woodcreeper is generally a year-round resident, with some northern populations moving to lower elevations post-breeding. It forages predominantly by following army ant swarms, capitalizing on prey flushed by the ants' activity. When not following ants, it forages alone or occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks.

Song & calls

The vocal repertoire of this species is diverse, with a dawn and dusk song that varies geographically. Amazonian birds produce a series of 15-20 liquid notes, while those in Mexico emit a high-pitched, descending chatter. Calls include a variety of sounds such as short whinnies, nasal notes, squeals during fights, and rattles in alarm.

Breeding

The nesting season of the black-banded woodcreeper varies by location, with breeding observed in different months across its range. It nests in tree cavities, laying two eggs per clutch. Both parents are involved in incubation and care for the nestlings.

Similar Species

There are several subspecies of the black-banded woodcreeper, each with variations in plumage and size. These subspecies can be distinguished by differences in crown coloration, streaking, and barring patterns.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of arthropods such as insects, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes, as well as small vertebrates like lizards and occasionally frogs. Foraging techniques vary, with some populations more reliant on following ant swarms than others.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the black-banded woodcreeper as Least Concern. It has an extensive range and a large population, though the number of mature individuals is believed to be in decline. The species is sensitive to human disturbance and is negatively impacted by habitat fragmentation, but no immediate threats have been identified.