Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes affinis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Lepidocolaptes ("scale pecker") affinis ("related to")

Spot-crowned Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes affinis) at San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Lepidocolaptes affinis neglectus
Weight: 28-38g  /  Length: 19-22cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The higher altitude counterpart to the streak-headed woodcreeper, in Costa Rica mainly found above 1500m altitude in montane and cloud forest, although it is also found in drier forest habitats. Unlike many residents of the Talamancan Montane Forest however it has a wider discontinuous range that extends into Northern Mexico.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Lepidocolaptes
SUBSPECIES: L. a. lignicidae, L. a. affinis, L. a. neglectus 
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA Spanish (Costa Rica) - Trepatroncos cabecipunteado ("Speckled Treecreeper")
Found in high elevation forests
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at San Gerardo de Dota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Lepidocolaptes ("scale pecker") souleyetii (for naturalist Louis Souleyet)

 

Streak-headed Woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) at Tarcoles, Costa Rica - November 2025

Featured Subspecies: Lepidocolaptes souleyetii compressus
Weight: 23-31g/kg  /  Length: 19-21cm  /  Wingspan: 34-39cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The most common of the numerous woodcreeper species found in Costa Rica, desptite appearances they are not relation to woodpeckers, but rather have evolved into a similar niche of hunters of flightless invertebrates that scale tree trunks. The Streak-headed is one of the more tolerant species of human activity and can be found in semi-open habitats as well as those heavily disturbed by humans.
 
Related Species: 
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Lepidocolaptes

SUBSPECIES: L. s. guerrerensis, L. s. compressus, L. s. lineaticeps, L. s. littoralis, L. s. uaireni, L. s. esmeraldae, L. s. souleyetti
 
- Sighting Locations -

COSTA RICA - Spanish - Trepatroncos Cabecirrayado ("Stipe-headed Nuthatch")
A widespread and common species
- COSTA RICA 2025 TRIP: Seen at Tarcoles

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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