Kingdom Animalia Order Piciformes Genus Picumnus Higher classification Picumnus | Phylum Chordata Family Picidae Scientific name Picumnus fulvescens Rank Species | |
Similar Spotted piculet, White‑bellied piculet, Black‑dotted piculet, Arrowhead piculet, Speckle‑chested piculet | ||
The tawny piculet (Picumnus fulvescens) is a species of bird in the family Picidae. It is endemic to eastern Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and dry savanna. It is threatened by habitat loss.
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Description
The tawny piculet is a small species with a length of about 10 cm (4 in). The upper parts are a plain, slightly buffy brown. The male has a black crown streaked with scarlet at the front and centre, sometimes forming a patch. The female lacks any red on the head and has a black crown spotted with white. In other regards, the sexes are similar; the cheeks and neck are tawny and the ear coverts brown. There is a slight white moustachial stripe and white streaking above and behind the eye. The throat is cream, and the breast and belly are yellowish-brown, sometimes with white streaking on the breast. The wings are brown and the upper tail blackish, except for the central feathers which are white. The beak and legs are grey and the iris rufous, with a greyish ring of bare skin round the eye.
Distribution and habitat
The tawny piculet is endemic to the Amazon rainforest of northeastern Brazil. Survey work since 1999 has shown that it has a rather more widespread distribution than had been previously thought. It typically inhabits deciduous and semi-deciduous forest, including secondary growth and forest scrub. It is affected by forest clearance but part of its range is within the confines of the Serra da Capivara National Park and other protected areas. It is also found in caatinga, scrubby savannah and palm groves.