Arrowhead Piculet vs Spotted Piculet

In short

The Arrowhead Piculet and Spotted Piculet are small woodpeckers with overlapping ranges in South America. Key differences include the male Arrowhead's red crown versus the Spotted Piculet's more uniformly spotted appearance. Both species share similar habitats and behaviors, making plumage the most reliable field mark.

Identification tips

1. Look for the red crown in male Arrowhead Piculets; females have a black crown with white spots. 2. Note the more uniformly spotted appearance of the Spotted Piculet. 3. Observe behavior and habitat, as both species are often found in similar settings and may be seen in pairs or mixed flocks.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of piculets, and are small woodpeckers.

Plumage

Male Arrowhead Piculets have a predominantly red crown, while females have a black crown with white spots. Both sexes have olive-brown upperparts with blackish wedge-shaped centers and whitish underparts with brownish-black scales. The Spotted Piculet, in contrast, has a more uniformly spotted appearance across its plumage.

Behaviour

Both species are often found in pairs and may join mixed-species flocks, foraging in the lower vegetation strata. They maintain vocal contact, though visual contact may not always be consistent.

Habitat

Both species inhabit similar environments, typically within South American forests and woodlands.