Scaled Woodcreeper

About the Scaled Woodcreeper

The scaled woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes squamatus) is a species of bird in the subfamily Dendrocolaptinae of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is endemic to Brazil. The scaled woodcreeper and what is now the scalloped woodcreeper (L. falcinellus) were previously considered conspecific and are now treated as sister species. Worldwide taxonomic systems assign the scaled woodcreeper two subspecies, the nominate L. s. squamatus (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1822) and L. s. wagleri (Spix, 1824). At least one author treats these subspecies as individual species. However, the genetic distance between them is small, suggesting that the two subspecies would be better if merged to create a monotypic species.

The scaled woodcreeper is 19 to 20 cm (7.5 to 7.9 in) long and weighs about 27 g (0.95 oz). It is a medium-sized woodcreeper with a slim, somewhat decurved bill. The sexes have the same plumage. Adults of the nominate subspecies have a dusky face with whitish streaks and a whitish supercilium that is often broken. Their crown is dark brown lightly spotted with buff. Their back is bright reddish brown and their rump, wings, and tail cinnamon-rufous... Wikipedia →