Cocoa Woodcreeper
The Cocoa Woodcreeper is a medium-sized, brown woodcreeper found in humid lowland forests from Honduras to Bolivia and Brazil, characterized by its uniform cocoa-brown plumage with subtle streaking on the head and throat, relatively straight bill, and typical woodcreeper behavior of hitching up tree trunks and branches while foraging for insects and spiders in bark…
Xiphorhynchus susurrans
Scientific Name
Furnariidae (Ovenbirds), Subfamily Dendrocolaptinae (Woodcreepers)
Family
Passeriformes
Order
X. s. susurrans
Subspecies. Trinidad and Tobago
X. s. jardinei
Subspecies. Northeastern Venezuela
X. s. marginatus
Subspecies. Pacific slope of central Panama
X. s. confinis
Subspecies. Caribbean slope of eastern Guatemala and northern Honduras
X. s. costaricensis
Subspecies. Caribbean and Pacific slopes from southeastern Honduras through Nicaragua and Costa Rica into western Panama
Range and Habitat of Cocoa Woodcreeper
Geographic Range
The Cocoa Woodcreeper is found across southern Central America and northwestern South America, including Guatemala (eastern regions), Honduras (both slopes), Nicaragua, Costa Rica (both Caribbean and Pacific slopes), Panama, Colombia (northern and western regions), Venezuela (northern regions), Trinidad and Tobago
Migratory Patterns
The Cocoa Woodcreeper is a year-round resident throughout its range, including all of Costa Rica. It is non-migratory and maintains territories throughout the year.
Preferred Habitat
The species prefers humid evergreen forest, particularly at edges and in mature secondary forest, gallery forest, deciduous woodland, forest edges, second growth.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft); primarily found in lowlands and foothills; becomes uncommon to rare above 900 m
Costa Rica Habitat
In Costa Rica, the subspecies X. s. costaricensis is found throughout both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. Key regions and protected areas include:
- Sarapiquí Region: La Selva Biological Station, Selva Verde Lodge, El Gavilan Lodge
- Tortuguero National Park
- Braulio Carrillo National Park
- Lowland and foothill forests throughout Limón Province
- Carara National Park (excellent location)
- Piedras Blancas National Park
- Corcovado National Park
- Osa Peninsula forests
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Puntarenas and southern Pacific coastal regions
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Conservation Status
Population Status
Decreasing globally
Habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture and cattle ranching
Conservation efforts
The species is protected in numerous Costa Rican reserves and national parks
Primary Threats
Habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture and cattle ranching
Cocoa Woodcreeper Identification
How to Identify the Species
Rarity Level:
CommonBest Viewing Times:
Early Morning (Dawn - 8 AM), Evening (Dusk)
Size
Length: 21 to 25.5 cm (8.3 to 10.0 inches); Weight: 43 to 58 g (1.5 to 2.0 oz)
Plumage
Adult males and females are identical. The Costa Rican subspecies (X. s. costaricensis) exhibits darker coloration than some other subspecies. Dusky face with buff streaks and a whitish supercilium (eyebrow stripe), upper back and wing coverts olive-brown to brown with blackish-edged buff streaks.
Distinctive Features
Long, fairly heavy, slightly decurved bill that is pale grayish with fleshy tones but darker along the top edge; substantial and distinctive
Sexual Dimorphism
None in plumage. Males may be slightly larger than females on average, but there is considerable size overlap.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Primary Diet
- The Cocoa Woodcreeper is primarily insectivorous, consuming ants, beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers and crickets, spiders, and small frogs and lizards.
Foraging Techniques
- Cocoa woodcreepers pick prey from bark crevices, dead leaves, epiphytes, moss clumps, and knotholes, and investigate rough bark and vegetation for hidden prey.
Feeding Times
- Peak activity is at dawn and dusk, especially during breeding season.
Behavior Patterns
Cocoa Woodcreeper
Social Structure
This bird usually forages singly or in pairs, regularly joins mixed-species feeding flocks, typically in mid-forest levels. Groups of up to a dozen birds may follow army ant columns.
Song and Vocalization
The Cocoa Woodcreeper is quite vocal, especially during breeding season. Primary song is a loud series of 7-20 (often 7-8) clear, upward-inflected whistles.
Courtship and Mating Ritual
Increased vocalization during breeding season occurs, and male and female maintain close pair bonds.
Territoriality
Both sexes defend breeding territories which are maintained year-round (non-migratory).
Birdwatching Tips
Best Locations for Spotting Cocoa Woodcreeper
Caribbean Slope (Excellent):
- La Selva Biological Station - SAZ, SUR, and SOR trails; arrange early morning guided tour
- Selva Verde Lodge and Reserve - Private trails across suspension bridge; excellent trails through old-growth forest
- El Gavilan Lodge, Sarapiquí - Forest trails and edge habitat; reliable sightings
- Quebrada Gonzalez, Braulio Carrillo - Roadside and trail birding
- Tortuguero canals and forest trails
- Carara National Park - Universal Loop trail, Quebrada Bonita trail, and Sendero Laguna; one of the best sites
- Villa Lapas area - Forest edge and trails near Tarcoles River
- Piedras Blancas National Park - Esquinas Rainforest Lodge area
- Osa Peninsula - Corcovado and surrounding forests; Drake Bay area
- Manuel Antonio National Park - Forest trails
- Sarapiquí region roads and lodges
- Laguna del Lagarto area
- Manzanillo-Cahuita region (Caribbean southern zone)
Best Time of the Year
Year-round resident, peak breeding season with increased vocalization in May to August. Generally better visibility in forests in December-April during dry season.
Common Behavior
Watch for birds hitching up tree trunks in spiral pattern, listen for loud, clear whistled series at dawn/dusk. Note the relatively thick, slightly curved bill, look for buff streaking on head and breast.
Recommended Gear
- Binoculars: 8×42 or 10×42 with good close focus (under 10 feet); light-gathering capability important for dim forest interior.
- Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with good high-ISO performance
- Lens: 400-600mm recommended; 300mm minimum
Breeding and Nesting Behavior
Breeding Season
May through August, with peak activity June-July
Nesting Sites
Primarily in natural tree cavities; occasionally in human structures (buildings, fence posts). Made by adding bits of bark, wood chips, and softer plant material to line the cavity.
Clutch Size
Two white eggs
Incubation Period
19 to 20 days
Parental Care
Incubation is performed solely by the female, she cares for nestlings. Fledging time is at least 17 days from hatching.
Did You Know?
Spiral Climbing
The Cocoa Woodcreeper has a distinctive foraging pattern where it spirals up tree trunks, often exploring the underside of branches – a behavior that requires remarkable agility and strength.
Army Ant Specialists
While most woodcreepers forage independently, Cocoa Woodcreepers are enthusiastic army ant followers. They don’t eat the ants themselves but capture the insects, spiders, and small vertebrates fleeing from the ant swarms.
Tail Support System
The bird’s stiff tail feathers can support most of its body weight when pressed against tree trunks, functioning almost like a third leg. Birds that lose their tail feathers find climbing extremely difficult.
Vocal Ventriloquism
The loud song can be surprisingly difficult to locate. Even when the bird is calling from close range, its voice seems to come from different directions, making visual location challenging.
Name Origin
The common name “Cocoa Woodcreeper” derives from the bird’s association with cacao plantations, where it readily inhabits the shaded growing areas. In these plantations, the birds help control insect pests naturally.
Ecosystem Indicator
Local naturalists and guides in Costa Rica recognize the Cocoa Woodcreeper as an indicator of healthy lowland forest. Its presence suggests good forest structure with adequate dead wood, epiphytes, and invertebrate populations.
Taxonomic Journey
The Cocoa Woodcreeper was long considered a subspecies of the Buff-throated Woodcreeper. Only since the 1990s has it been recognized as a distinct species, and molecular studies suggest the relationships among subspecies may need further revision.
Specialized Feet
The fourth toe (outer rear toe) is as long as the third toe, providing exceptional gripping power for climbing vertical surfaces – an adaptation shared with woodpeckers but evolved independently.
How do I identify this bird?
The Cocoa Woodcreeper is a medium-sized brown bird that hitches up tree trunks. In Costa Rica, distinguish it from the similar Streak-headed Woodcreeper by noting the Cocoa’s heavier, straighter bill and less extensive streaking pattern.
Is it endangered?
No, the Cocoa Woodcreeper is not endangered. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to its very large range (over 2.3 million km²) and substantial population (estimated 500,000 to nearly 5 million mature individuals).
Where is the best place to see it in Costa Rica?
Carara National Park on the Pacific slope is considered one of the best locations, particularly along the Universal Loop trail and Quebrada Bonita trail. The bird is fairly common there in forest and forest edge habitats. On the Caribbean slope, La Selva Biological Station, Selva Verde Lodge, and El Gavilan Lodge in Sarapiquí offer excellent opportunities. The species is also reliably found in Piedras Blancas National Park, on the Osa Peninsula, and in the lowland sections of Tortuguero and Braulio Carrillo National Parks.
What other woodcreeper species might I confuse it with?
In Costa Rica, the Cocoa Woodcreeper is most easily confused with:
– Streak-headed Woodcreeper: More common, thinner bill, more extensive streaking
– Northern Barred-Woodcreeper: Similar size but more barred appearance
– Ivory-billed Woodcreeper: Paler bill, paler head; restricted to dry forests in northwest Costa Rica
Focus on bill shape and thickness, extent of streaking, and especially vocalizations for positive identification.