Hylexetastes stresemanni
The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper (*Hylexetastes stresemanni*) is a large, robust Neotropical passerine known for its striking plumage and powerful presence in the Amazonian understory. Measuring approximately 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) in length and weighing 80-120 grams (2.8-4.2 oz), it stands out among its kin. Its upperparts are a rich rufous-brown, contrasting sharply with its pale rufous-buff to whitish underparts that are heavily barred with dark brown or black, particularly on the breast and b...
This species primarily inhabits humid lowland tropical and subtropical evergreen rainforests, including terra firme and várzea forests. It typically occurs from near sea level up to elevations of about 1000 meters.
The diet consists predominantly of large arthropods, such as spiders, cockroaches, crickets, and beetles, often flushed by army ant swarms. It may also opportunistically take small vertebrates like frogs or lizards.
The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper is a diurnal bird, most frequently observed hitching its way up large tree trunks and branches, using its stiff tail feathers as a prop. Its primary foraging strategy involves following army ant swarms, where it perches near the ant front to snatch insects, spiders, an...
The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper is widely distributed across the Amazon Basin, primarily found east of the Andes Mountains. Its extensive range includes southern Venezuela, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and a vast portion of Amazonian Brazil. It is a resident...
Least Concern
- The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper is one of the largest species within the diverse woodcreeper family, making it a powerful predator of forest arthropods. - Its scientific genus name, *Hylexetastes*, comes from Greek, meaning 'forest searcher,' aptly describing its foraging behavior. - This species i...