Bar-bellied Woodcreeper vs Red-billed Woodcreeper

In short

The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper and Red-billed Woodcreeper can be distinguished primarily by plumage and habitat. The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper has distinctive barred underparts, while the Red-billed Woodcreeper is mostly solid brown with a frosty white moustachial stripe. Both species have a red bill, but this can be hard to see in dim light.

Identification tips

1. Look for barred underparts to identify the Bar-bellied Woodcreeper. 2. Note the solid brown plumage and frosty white moustachial stripe for the Red-billed Woodcreeper. 3. Both species have a red bill, but this may be difficult to see in poor lighting. 4. Consider the geographic location: north of the Amazon suggests Red-billed, while south suggests Bar-bellied.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of large woodcreepers.

Plumage

The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper has barred underparts, which are absent in the Red-billed Woodcreeper. The Red-billed Woodcreeper is generally solid brown with whitish lores and a frosty white moustachial stripe.

Behaviour

Both species are known to follow army ant swarms, with the Red-billed Woodcreeper often being dominant over other woodcreepers.

Habitat

The Bar-bellied Woodcreeper is found south of the Amazon, while the Red-billed Woodcreeper occurs north of the Amazon, typically in terra firme forests, including those on sandy soils.