Family Ovenbirds (Furnariidae)

Least Concern

Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa)

figure, drawing, illustration of Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa)

Taxonomy

French: Grimpar roux German: Rostkappen-Baumsteiger Spanish: Trepatroncos rojizo
Taxonomy:

Dendromanes homochrous

P. L. Sclater

, 1860,

Teotalcingo, Oaxaca, Mexico

.

Race acedesta sometimes merged with nominate, on grounds that size variation is clinal. Racial identity of birds on Caribbean slope of Costa Rica requires confirmation. Original description of species in 1859 issue of journal, but not published till Feb 1860#R#R. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution
  • D. h. homochroa (P. L. Sclater, 1860) – Caribbean and Pacific slopes of S Mexico (N & NE Oaxaca, Yucatán Peninsula) S & E to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador (one site), Honduras and NE Nicaragua.
  • D. h. acedesta Oberholser, 1904 – Pacific slope from SW Nicaragua S to W Panama; also (apparently this race) on Caribbean slope in N two-thirds of Costa Rica.
  • D. h. ruficeps P. L. Sclater & Salvin, 1868 – C & E Panama (E from E Chiriquí) and locally in adjacent NW Colombia (N Chocó).
  • D. h. meridionalis Phelps, Sr & Phelps, Jr, 1953 – N Colombia and NW Venezuela (lower slopes of Santa Marta Mts#R, Sierra de Perijá, Cordillera de Mérida and Cerro El Cogollal).

    • Descriptive notes

    17·5–20·5 cm; male 34–43 g, female 27–39 g (Yucatán S to Guatemala), male average 45 g, female 37 g (Panama). Medium-sized woodcreeper with straight bill,... read more

    Voice

    Quiet and rarely heard. Song a 2·5–4 second rattle, churring or slightly slurred, that slows... read more

    Habitat

    Humid and deciduous lowland forest; evergreen cloudforest into upper tropical and, occasionally,... read more

    Food and feeding

    Diet largely arthropods. Stomach contents reveal prey similar to that seen taken over swarming army ants. Important prey include spiders,... read more

    Breeding

    Season Apr–Jun in Costa Rica; nests with eggs in Jun in Belize; birds in breeding condition in late May to mid-Aug in Yucatán... read more

    Movements

    Largely resident. Reports of vagrants at La Selva Biological Station, in Costa Rica, and Barro... read more

    Status and conservation

    Not globally threatened. Generally uncommon to fairly common throughout N part of range (Mexico S to E & SW Costa Rica), but less common and more local in El Salvador (... read more

    Recommended citation

    Marantz, C.A., Aleixo, A., Bevier, L.R. & Patten, M.A. (2019). Ruddy Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla homochroa). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/56599 on 15 February 2019).