Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus erythropygius) [XC275365]
by Fabrice Schmitt from Esmeraldas: Playa de Oro, village and vicinity, R\u00edo Santiago, Ecuador (call, agitated calls)
Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus) [XC264575]
by Andrew Spencer from Santo Domingo: 'Tinalandia', Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
Suggested sister-species to Olive-backed Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus triangularis) based on genetic comparison using "aequatorialis group". The two sometimes regarded as forming a superspecies, or as conspecific. Treatment as separate species supported by molecular evidence, vocalizations, apparent lack of intergradation, and elevational replacement where ranges approach (with at most, very limited sympatry on western slope of Andes in south-western Colombia and western Ecuador). On basis of plumage and, to a lesser degree, voice and elevational preference, subspecies divided into "erythropygius group" (including parvus) and "aequatorialis group" (including punctigula and insolitus). Subspecies within each group poorly differentiated.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
erythropygius (Sclater, 1859) - Highlands of central and southern Mexico (extreme south-eastern San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo south to central Oaxaca, also Guerrero).
parvus Griscom, 1937 - Southern Mexican Highlands (extreme south-eastern Oaxaca, Chiapas) and extreme north-western El Salvador south to north-central Nicaragua. Also locally in southern Belize.
punctigula (Ridgway, 1889) - South-eastern Nicaragua south to central Panama (east to Veraguas).
insolitus Ridgway, 1909 - Central and eastern Panama (west to Canal Zone) and north-western Colombia (southern along coast to northern Chocó, also lower Cauca Valley (central Antioquia) and middle Magdalena Valley south to northern Caldas).
aequatorialis (von Berlepsch & Taczanowski, 1884) - Pacific slope of western Andes from western Colombia (southern from central Chocó, also upper Atrato Valley) south to south-western Ecuador (south to western Loja). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Southern Spotted Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus aequatorialis).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet