Reflections of the Natural World

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Lifer 664 – Tawny-winged Woodcreeper

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Jim Gain

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Chronicles of a Birders Life List

Over the past 40 years I have had the good fortune to photographically document 85% of the bird species added to my “Life List.” This blog series showcases the images and anecdotal accounts that document those “Lifer” sightings and a little about the environment and culture of the area. This Lifer blog series begins with the first LIFER outside of the US, Lifer #624 and proceeds chronologically forward from there.

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

Photo @ Cobá Archeological Ruins, Quintana Roo, MX

Tawny-winged Woodcreeper (Dendrocincla anabatina) > Furnariidae > Passeriformes

IDENTIFICATION: Fairly common, but easily overlooked, medium-sized woodcreeper of humid tropical forest; infrequently seen away from ant swarms. Found singly or in small groups, often with Ruddy and Northern Barred Woodcreepers at army ant swarms. Mainly perches upright on slender trunks fairly low to the ground, less often at middle levels; often rather sluggish. Combination of face pattern, contrasting rusty wings, and behavior is distinctive. Usually rather quiet; at times gives plaintive mew calls and a prolonged chipping rattled song.

FIRST “LIFER” OBSERVATION:
Birding with: My wife Maria
Date: 06 Dec 2021 @ Cobá Archeological Ruins, Quintana Roo, MX
Zona Arqueológica Cobá | MX-ROO

SPECIES GLOBAL eBIRD DISTRIBUTION MAP
Yellow Star indications the location of my Lifer sighting

DETAILS ABOUT SIGHTING: Maria and I were walking along the trail to the Grupo Nohoch Mul ruins absolutely enjoying the shade and nice road. My attention was grabbed by a small flock of Yucatan Jays that seemed to be mobbing something. And then I noticed at first one woodcreeper and then more Suddenly we were surrounded by lots of birds flying back and forth to the ground and back up to the trees. Then I noticed the SWARM! A huge swarm of Army Ants was making its was along the side of the road. I discovered 5 LIFER bird species working around this ant swarm.

2nd Cobá Ant Swarm Lifer
Lifer #664 Tawny-winged Woodcreeper. Right after recording the Lifer Northern Barred-Woodcreeper, a Ruddy Woodcreeper (non-lifer) came in to the fray soon followed by TWO Tawny-winged Woodcreepers.

PHOTOS TAKEN:

All images below were taken on that day in the Cobá Ruins.

Previous 3 posts in my LIFER Blog Series.

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ABOUT THE SITE

With a primary focus on birds, each blog series has it’s own unique look at the wildlife and wild places encountered at different locations that I have visited around the world.

ABOUT ME

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 40 years, I taught and led in public education, helping students discover the wonder woven into every corner of the natural world. That same drive has carried me through decades of citizen science and conservation work. As an active member of the Modesto Camera Club, I’ve developed a photographic practice that blends natural history with visual artistry, and my award‑winning images have been featured across the Internet on dozens of sites and field‑oriented platforms. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain

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