Spotted Piculet

Overview

The spotted piculet (Picumnus pygmaeus) is a small woodpecker in the subfamily Picumninae, endemic to northeastern Brazil. It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population size and trend remain unknown.

Identification

• Approximately 10 cm long with dark brown upperparts and a paler rump.
• Adult males have a black cap with a red patch on the forehead; females lack the red.
• Underparts are light to darkish brown with a rufous tinge and large black and white spots.
• Vocalisation described as a very high-pitched, squeaky 'tsirrrrr, tsi, tsi, tsi' or a fast, descending chivering trill 'ttrrrruh'.

Habitat

Found exclusively in northeastern Brazil, spanning an area from central Maranhão and Pernambuco to northeastern Goiás and extreme northern Minas Gerais. The species inhabits dry open woodland and caatinga shrublands.

Did you know?

The species is likely not rare but is simply overlooked, contributing to the significant lack of knowledge regarding its foraging techniques, diet, and breeding biology.