Identification
A brown, tree-climbing bird with a strongly curved bill. Appears small-headed; plumage is mostly rufous-brown with buffy streaking on head and neck. Found in tall rainforest, where it is uncommon and locally distributed; often occurs in areas with extensive bamboo thickets. Generally shy and rather difficult to observe. Forages at middle and upper levels, using extraordinary bill to probe into deep bark crevices, bromeliads, and broken bamboo stems. Regularly follows mixed-species flocks. Song is a descending and accelerating series of strident whistles. Curved bill should immediately distinguish this species from other woodcreepers in range. Restricted to a small area of eastern Amazonia, south of the Amazon River, between the Xingu and Tocantins Rivers.