Picumnus nebulosus
The Mottled Piculet (*Picumnus nebulosus*) is a diminutive member of the woodpecker family (Picidae), distinguished by its exceptionally small stature, typically measuring only 8.5-10 cm (3.3-3.9 inches) in length and weighing a mere 8-12 grams. Its plumage is a blend of dull olive-brown to dusky tones, heavily mottled or finely barred across the underparts and flanks, providing excellent camouflage amidst dense vegetation. A key field mark is its black crown, adorned with white spots; males ...
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, this species also thrives in secondary growth, forest edges, and areas with dense bamboo thickets, generally at elevations up to 1,600 meters.
This piculet feeds almost exclusively on small insects and their larvae, particularly ants, beetles, and other arthropods, primarily gleaning and probing from bark, crevices, and bamboo.
The Mottled Piculet is typically diurnal, spending its days actively foraging, and likely roosts in small tree cavities or dense foliage at night. Its foraging strategy is distinct, involving meticulous probing and gleaning for insects on small branches, vines, and bamboo stems, often hanging ups...
The Mottled Piculet is a resident species distributed across southeastern South America. Its breeding and year-round range encompasses southern Brazil, extending from Rio Grande do Sul northward into São Paulo. It is also found throughout eastern Paraguay, specifically in the Atlantic Forest remn...
Least Concern
- The Mottled Piculet is one of the smallest members of the woodpecker family (Picidae), often weighing less than a quarter of an ounce. - Unlike most woodpeckers, it rarely hammers on large tree trunks, preferring to forage delicately on thin twigs, vines, and bamboo. - Its short, stiff tail fea...