Strong-billed Woodcreeper

The Strong-billed Woodcreeper occurs on both slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, inhabiting humid montane forests and cloud forests typically between 1,000 and 3,000 meters. It is generally uncommon and solitary, often seen climbing tree trunks and large branches in search of insects, and occasionally joining mixed-species flocks or following army ant swarms. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a broad Neotropical range and a population estimated between 50,000 and 500,000 mature individuals, though it is suspected to be slowly declining due to habitat loss. Natural history observations highlight its massive, decurved bill, methodical foraging behavior, and preference for mature forest interiors, with nesting biology still poorly documented but likely involving cavities in large trees.