Guianan woodcreeper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guianan woodcreeper |
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Lepidocolaptes
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albolineatus
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The Guianan woodcreeper is a cool bird that lives in the forests of South America. It's also known as the lineated woodcreeper. This bird is part of the Furnariidae family, which includes ovenbirds. You can find it in countries like Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
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About Its Name
Have you ever wondered how animals get their names? For a long time, the Guianan woodcreeper was known as the lineated woodcreeper. Scientists thought it had five different types, called subspecies.
But around 2010, scientists studied these birds more closely. They realized that most of these "subspecies" were actually different bird species! So, the Guianan woodcreeper became its own unique species. The other birds got new names, like the Duida woodcreeper and the Inambari woodcreeper.
What Does It Look Like?
The Guianan woodcreeper is a small bird. It grows to be about 17 to 19 centimeters (7 to 7.5 inches) long. Males usually weigh a bit more than females.
This bird has a thin, curved beak. Both male and female birds look very similar.
- Head and Neck: Their face, the top of their head (crown), and the back of their neck are dusky brown. They have small, light spots on their crown.
- Body: Their back and wing feathers are a dark reddish-brown. Their lower back, wings, and tail are a rusty chestnut color. The tips of their main wing feathers are blackish-brown.
- Throat and Belly: Their throat is a plain, light yellowish-brown. Their chest and belly are grayish-brown or olive-brown. These areas have bold, light streaks with dark edges.
- Underparts: The feathers under their tail are cinnamon-brown. The feathers under their wings are cinnamon or yellowish-brown.
- Eyes, Legs, and Beak: Their eyes are dark brown. Their legs and feet can be brown, gray, or even pea-green. The top part of their beak is dark, while the bottom part is lighter.
Young Guianan woodcreepers look a bit different. Their upper parts are darker, and the spots on their head are easier to see. The streaks on their belly are whiter and not as strong.
Where Does It Live?
The Guianan woodcreeper lives in the northern part of the Amazonia region. You can find it in eastern Venezuela, the Guianas (French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname), and northern Brazil. It lives north of the Amazon River, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
This bird mostly lives in tall, wet forests on solid ground. It also sometimes lives in forests that flood, or in swampy areas. You might also find it in forests along rivers or in savanna areas.
It prefers the inside and edges of very old, tall forests. It also likes mature forests that have grown back. You won't often find it in younger forests. It usually lives below 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) in elevation. But sometimes, in Venezuela, it can be found as high as 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).
Behavior
Movement
Scientists believe the Guianan woodcreeper stays in the same area all year round. It doesn't seem to migrate.
Feeding
The Guianan woodcreeper mainly eats small insects and other arthropods. It usually searches for food alone or with a partner. Often, it joins groups of different bird species that are feeding together.
This bird moves along branches, sometimes even upside down! It mostly looks for food in the upper parts of the forest, like the sub-canopy and canopy. It rarely goes down to the lower parts of the forest. It finds most of its food by picking, poking, and prying off pieces of bark. It also sometimes pokes around in plants that grow on trees, like epiphytes. It doesn't often fly out to catch insects in the air.
Reproduction
The Guianan woodcreeper breeds during the dry season in the Guianas, which is usually from July to September.
We don't know much about their nests. Only one nest has ever been found! It was in a hole near the top of a dead tree stump. The nest was lined with small pieces of bark. At least two young birds successfully left this nest. Scientists are still learning about how these birds raise their families.
Vocalization
The Guianan woodcreeper's song is a soft, trilling sound. It goes up and down in pitch and then fades away at the end. The song has about 20 to 40 notes and lasts for about 2 to 3 seconds.
Conservation Status
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the Guianan woodcreeper as a species of "Least Concern." This means it's not currently in danger of extinction.
It lives across a large area, but we don't know exactly how many of these birds there are. Scientists believe their population might be decreasing. No immediate threats have been found for this bird.
Because it mostly lives high up in the forest canopy, it's not easy to study. It's thought to be uncommon to fairly common in the places where it lives. However, it is believed to rely on forests to survive. This means it could be very sensitive to changes in its habitat, like when forests are cut down.
