Dendrocolaptidae(woodcreepers; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of brown birds, often streaked, that have stiff, spiny tails. Their bills vary from short and upturned to stout and straight or very long and decurved. They are found in forests, probing for insects on tree surfaces and nesting in tree cavities. The 14 species of Xiphorhynchus are typical. There are 13 genera, with 52 species found from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.

woodcreepers See DENDROCOLAPTIDAE.