Rufous-breasted Piculet

Overview

The rufous-breasted piculet (Picumnus rufiventris) is a small bird belonging to the woodpecker family Picidae. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, with a very large range and a population believed to be stable.

Identification

• Measures 9 to 11 cm in length and weighs 12 to 21 g.
• Adult males feature a black crown with wide red feather tips and small white or buff spots on the sides, while adult females display white dots throughout the crown instead of red.
• Underparts are rich orange rufous or rufous chestnut, contrasting with yellowish olive upperparts and a black tail.
• Song consists of a slow, descending series of high, lisping notes, typically described as "seep seep".

Habitat

Found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, the species occurs almost entirely near rivers. It typically inhabits dense undergrowth, including bamboo, adjoining waterways, as well as forest edges, dense growth along roads, and small gardens.

Diet

The bird forages within 3 m of the ground, usually alone, in pairs, or in mixed-species flocks. It clings to bamboo stalks and small branches, sometimes upside down, to peck and probe the bark. Its diet is not fully detailed but is known to include insects.

Did you know?

Although it is a woodpecker, the rufous-breasted piculet is often found clinging upside down to bamboo stalks while probing for food.