Tiny, scale-covered piculet with sandy brown back and dirty white underparts. Male has black crown with red forecrown, dark with white dots in female. The dusky scaling is variable in intensity, being weaker in the southern regions and stronger in northern regions. Forages actively along small branches and vines, in mixed flocks, alone, or in pairs; very territorial. Common and widespread in dry to humid forest, light woodland, and shrubby areas, including urban settings. Voice three to six high and well-spaced notes, “seek…seek...seek.” The only scaled piculet, but southern populations can be similar to White-bellied Piculet, separated by Scaled’s smaller size, smaller bill, and less contrast between red and black in crown of male.