Buff-throated Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus guttatus Scientific name definitions

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The Buff-throated Woodcreeper is a common, widespread woodcreeper of northern and central South America, east of the Andes. It is larger than sympatric species of Xiphorhynchus, although it is very similar to the closely related Cocoa Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus susurrans) of Central America and northwestern South America; indeed, Buff-throated and Cocoa woodcreepers formerly were considered conspecific, and the taxonomy of these two species perhaps is not yet resolved.  The Buff-throated Woodcreeper occurs in lowland forests, often at forest edge and in taller second growth. It usually forages relatively high above the ground, where it noisily rummages through dead leaf clusters and in palm fronds. The throat is buff colored, but the Buff-throated Woodcreeper is recognized more easily by its large size, overall rufescent color, and large, strong bill.

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

22·5–29·5 cm; 49–74 g. Relatively large, heavy-bodied woodcreeper with long, heavy and noticeably decurved bill. Nominate race has dark brown head side finely streaked whitish-buff; crown and nape dark brown, each feather on forehead having black tip and small buff spot, becoming larger teardrop on crown and broad streak on nape; back and wing-coverts reddish olive-brown with fine black-edged buff streaks extending to mid-back, lower back and rump cinnamon-rufous, remiges darker rufous, dusky brown tips of outer primaries; tail rufous-chestnut; throat deep buff, unmarked except on lower part; underparts reddish brown, more rufescent on undertail-coverts, black-edged streaks of deep buff broad on breast and sides, narrowing on belly, all but disappearing by undertail-coverts; underwing-coverts cinnamon-rufous to ochraceous buff; iris dark brown; bill dark brownish black, culmen paler, mandible paler still; legs and feet clear blue, greenish grey or dark grey. Distinguished from most other Xiphorhynchus species, by larger overall size, heavier body and proportionately heavier bill (plumage much like X. pardalotus); Xiphocolaptes promeropirhynchus is larger, often with breast finely streaked and belly weakly barred, a conspicuous malar-stripe, bill much larger and more massive; Dendrocolaptes picumnus is also larger, and has belly finely barred, throat streaked, streaking above and below less conspicuous, and bill shorter, blacker. Female is slightly smaller than male. Juvenile has bill shorter and blacker than adult, belly more rufous, edges on lower throat darker, streaks on mantle and upper breast wider and with clearer and blacker edges. Races differ in bill colour and in plumage colour and pattern: <em>polystictus</em> is like nominate, but crown much darker than back, latter with broad streaks boldly edged black; connectens closely resembles previous, but underparts slightly deeper buff, streaking on crown, nape and upperparts also deeper buff and heavier.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

22·5–29·5 cm; 45–69 g. Relatively large, heavy-bodied woodcreeper with long, heavy and noticeably decurved bill . Morphological differences from formerly conspecific X. guttatus relatively subtle. Races differentiated as follows: nominate race is similar to race connectens of X. guttatus but bill pale horn, often duskier around nares, overall coloration more rufescent, crown darker than back, throat richer buff and streaking both above and below richer buff and with dark margins weaker and often irregular; <em>dorbignyanus</em> is closely similar to last, but bill even paler, overall coloration paler and more olive, crown only slightly darker than back, streaks above and below narrower, more restricted and often lacking dark margins; <em>eytoni</em> differs from last in having bill slimmer and mostly blackish, plumage generally more contrasting (crown blackish, upperparts more olive, rump more extensively rufous, underparts greyer, throat whiter, streaking both above and below whiter but with sharper and blacker margins; proposed race gracilirostris closely resembles previous, but bill longer, slimmer and more deeply curved (not generally accepted, including here); and vicinalis represents a transition between eytoni and guttatoides with blackish bill and whitish throat contrasting with strongly rufescent underparts, streaks on crown and back both buffier and heavier than in eytoni.

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Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

Chiefly humid evergreen forest but habitat preferences vary geographically. Restricted to forested lowlands in coastal E Brazil (nominate race), but populations in N of range less strictly tied to humid forest, occurring in semi-deciduous and gallery forests, forests on sand ridges, palm swamps dominated by Euterpe oleracea, forest islands amid savanna, cerrado woodland, and mature mangroves. Prefers forest edge, gaps and older second growth, but regularly encountered within interior of mature forest and sometimes in nearby plantations. Primarily lower tropical zone from sea-level to 800 m; occasionally to 1250 m in tepui region.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

Chiefly humid evergreen forest but habitat preferences vary geographically. Populations in both N & S parts of range less strictly tied to humid forest, occurring in semi-deciduous and gallery forests, forests on sand ridges, palm swamps dominated by Euterpe oleracea, forest islands amid savanna, and cerrado woodland. In Amazonia occurs in terra firme forest, floodplain-forest and seasonally flooded forest (both várzea and igapó), with possible ecological difference between “eytoni group” (more strictly tied to terra firme forest) and nominate (favouring floodplain-forest and seasonally flooded forests); sometimes found in montane evergreen forest near base of Andes. Prefers forest edge, gaps and older second growth, but regularly encountered within interior of mature forest and sometimes in nearby plantations. Primarily lower tropical zone from sea-level to 800 m; occasionally to 1100 m in Bolivia.

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

Apparently resident throughout range.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

Diet chiefly arthropods, occasionally small vertebrates. Most prey relatively small, especially for the bird’s size. In relation to prey available in clusters of dead leaves, selects for various orthopterans but avoids cockroaches and, to lesser degree, spiders. Overlap in diet high with smaller X. elegans and Dendrocincla fuliginosa, less so with D. merula. Forages singly, occasionally in pairs; rarely three together at ant swarms. Regular associate of mixed-species flocks frequenting mid-levels and subcanopy, sometimes those in understorey or even canopy; present in 16–65% of flocks observed in E Brazil. One study documented marked preference for flocks led by Thamnomanes antshrikes in E Brazil. Regularly follows ant swarms (Eciton burchelli, sometimes Labidus praedator) but, unlike “professional” ant-followers, does not investigate bivouacs. Forages hitching up trunks and branches, primarily from mid-levels to subcanopy, sometimes higher and often lower, especially when over ants; mean foraging height in one study 11 m, with range 1–21 m. Most prey taken either from surface of trunks or limbs by gleaning or pecking, or from clusters of suspended dead leaves or palm fronds by probing; occasionally searches epiphytes, vine stems, live foliage or other substrates; sometimes pries off bark flakes, manipulates or thrashes substrate with bill, or pecks on dead wood or termite (Isoptera) nests to expose prey from interior. Routinely searches larger leaves than do other dead-leaf specialists, and regularly hangs from palm fronds or clings to large Cecropia leaves. When over ants, uses medium-sized trunks (mostly 5–20 cm diameter), typically vertical ones, but sometimes uses angled or even horizontal perches; at some sites forages mostly 2–10 m up (occasionally higher or lower), above zone of high competition near ground, but at others forages extensively within 1 m of ground; prey-capture techniques when associated with ants mostly similar to those used away from them, but also makes regular sallies to take items on ground or nearby foliage, sometimes in mid-air. Quite aggressive, beginning fights not only with smaller species but also with larger ones; aggressive interactions with conspecifics not uncommon. Constantly supplanted only by much larger Hylexetastes perrotii, but clearly dominant over smaller Dendrocincla fuliginosa, less so over D. merula, congeners and Lepidocolaptes albolineatus.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

Diet chiefly arthropods, occasionally small vertebrates. Stomach contents included various beetles, ants, grasshoppers (Acrididae), spiders, scorpions, bugs, cicadas, cockroaches (Blattodea), caterpillars, centipedes (Chilopoda), millipedes (Diplopoda), a small crab, and either small frogs or lizards. Most prey relatively small (less than 15 mm), especially for the bird’s size, but items > 20 mm in length and sometimes to 60 mm regularly taken. In relation to prey available in clusters of dead leaves, selects for various orthopterans but avoids cockroaches and, to lesser degree, spiders. Overlap in diet high with smaller X. elegans and Dendrocincla fuliginosa, less so with D. merula. Forages singly, occasionally in pairs; rarely three together at ant swarms. Regular associate of mixed-species flocks frequenting mid-levels and subcanopy, sometimes those in understorey or even canopy. Radio-tracked birds at site in SE Peru spent 16% of time with flocks, accompanying them in transitory fashion; present in 26% of flocks observed in E Amazonia, 18–21% in S Amazonia and 39% in SW Amazonia. Strong association with Spot-winged Antshrike (Pygiptila stellaris) found in another study. Regularly follows ant swarms (Eciton burchelli, sometimes Labidus praedator) but, unlike “professional” ant-followers, does not investigate bivouacs. Forages while hitching up trunks and branches, primarily from mid-levels to subcanopy, sometimes higher and often lower, especially when over ants; mean foraging height in one study 11 m, with range 1–21 m. Most prey taken either from surface of trunks or limbs by gleaning or pecking (10–45% depending on study), or from clusters of suspended dead leaves or palm fronds by probing (35–63%); occasionally searches epiphytes, vine stems, live foliage or other substrates; sometimes pries off bark flakes, manipulates or thrashes substrate with bill, or pecks on dead wood or termite (Isoptera) nests to expose prey from interior. Routinely searches larger leaves than do other dead-leaf specialists, and regularly hangs from palm fronds or clings to large Cecropia leaves. When over ants, uses medium-sized trunks (mostly 5–20 cm diameter), typically vertical ones, but sometimes uses angled or even horizontal perches; at some sites forages mostly 2–10 m up (occasionally higher or lower), above zone of high competition near ground, but at others forages extensively within 1 m of ground; prey-capture techniques when associated with ants mostly similar to those used away from them, but also makes regular sallies to take items on ground or nearby foliage, sometimes in mid-air. Quite aggressive, beginning fights not only with smaller species but also with larger ones; aggressive interactions with conspecifics not uncommon. Constantly supplanted only by much larger Hylexetastes perrotii; occasionally seen to initiate fights with, and sometimes supplant, larger Dendrocolaptes (D. picumnus, D. hoffmannsi, D. platyrostris, D. certhia) and X. promeropirhynchus, but clearly dominant over smaller Dendrocincla fuliginosa, less so over D. merula, congeners and Lepidocolaptes albolineatus. Also aggressive towards non-woodcreepers, sometimes displacing various antbirds (Thamnophilidae), picids such as Yellow-tufted Woodpecker (Melanerpes cruentatus) and Chestnut Woodpecker (Celeus elegans), Grey-headed Tanager (Eucometis penicillata) and, especially, foliage-gleaners of genera Philydor and Hyloctistes (Furnariidae). Overlap in diet (high) and substrate use (moderate) with X. promeropirhynchus, X. chunchotambo, Dendroplex picus and Lepidocolaptes albolineatus, resulting in partial tolerance (i.e. fights when encountered among flocks on occasion, but often foraging in close proximity).

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

More vocal than most congeners, singing for extended periods at dawn and dusk (occasionally midday) during breeding season. Song, usually given from concealed perch high in canopy, and often near an edge, varies geographically: in E Brazil (nominate) similar to the song of X. guttatoides but possibly slightly harsher “te-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e, quirt-quirt-quirt-quirt”; in the Guianas and NE Amazonia (polystictus, probably also connectens) like both X. guttatoides and nominate race of present species, but unclear to which most similar, described as loud (and somewhat explosive) descending whinny of 20–25 notes, “dui-dui-kui’kui’kui’kui’kui’kui’ku’u’u’ut, ut”. Pairs keep in contact by calling intermittently; calls also vary geographically. Most common call a descending series of 3–6 loud whistles, e.g. “wheeyer, wheep-wheep-wheep-wheep-whip”, sometimes doubled as “fee-a-wip, fee-a-wip, wip-wip”; also piercing whistle described as “feeyou” or “pyeeeu”, like comparable call of X. susurrans.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

More vocal than most congeners, singing for extended periods at dawn and dusk (occasionally midday) during breeding season. Song , usually given from concealed perch high in canopy, and often near an edge, varies geographically: in W Amazonia (guttatoides, dorbignyanus) a series 3–4 seconds long of melancholy whistles that ascends, levels, then descends and decreases in both volume and speed, “tep, tep, tep teep-twee-tweep-tweep-tweep-teep-teep-tee-tee-toe-toe-toe”; in SE Amazonia (eytoni, vicinalis, presumably also proposed race gracilirostris) a long, rapid trill that descends, then trails off, “whe-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ew-ew-ew-ew-ew-ew whoit whoit whoit whoit”. Pairs keep in contact by calling intermittently; calls also vary geographically. Commonest call a descending series of 3–6 loud whistles, e.g. “wheeyer, wheep-wheep-wheep-wheep-whip”, sometimes doubled as “fee-a-wip, fee-a-wip, wip-wip”; also piercing whistle described as “feeyou” or “pyeeeu”, like comparable call of X. susurrans.

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

Breeds during main dry season in French Guiana, in Mar in Guyana, and eggs in Jul in Suriname; birds in breeding condition in Jan–May in S Venezuela, N Brazil and the Guianas; adults with dependent young in mid Sept to early Dec in French Guiana. Nest usually low in natural cavity in dead tree or in old woodpecker (Picidae) hole; one nest was 7–8 m above ground. Clutch 1–3 white eggs, usually two, apparently 27 mm × 22 mm (some published measurements believed too small for this species, more likely pertain to Dendroplex picus). Adults sometimes seen with a dependent juvenile at ant swarms.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

Birds in breeding condition in Feb in S Amazonia and in early Oct in N Bolivia; active nests in late Sept to early Nov in SE Peru; adults with dependent young in mid May in E Amazonia, and juveniles in mid Oct to early Feb in S & SW Amazonia and mid May in E Amazonia. Nest usually low in natural cavity in dead tree or in old woodpecker (Picidae) hole. Clutch probably 1–3 white eggs, usually two. Adults sometimes seen with a dependent juvenile at ant swarms.

Buff-throated Woodcreeper (Buff-throated)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Fairly common to common in lowland forests in most of range. Largely dependent on intact but not necessarily undisturbed forest, with most populations inhabiting a region with much forest remaining and probably only moderately sensitive to disturbance; nominate race, however, largely restricted to scattered fragments of lowland Atlantic Forest, and likely to be moderately to highly sensitive to continued loss of forest.

Lafresnaye’s Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatoides)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Fairly common to common in lowland forests in most of range. At site in SE Peru, densities highest in mid-successional vegetation (27·5 pairs/100 ha), slightly lower in late-successional growth (22·5 pairs/100 ha), and lower still in mature floodplain-forest (9–21 pairs/100 ha of occupied habitat); home ranges in mature floodplain-forest at site averaged 6 ha. More abundant than smaller members of genus in SE Peru, apparently reflecting use of richer foraging substrates and possibly its ability to repel smaller species from these substrates. Largely dependent on intact but not necessarily undisturbed forest, with most populations inhabiting a region with much forest remaining and probably only moderately sensitive to disturbance.