Colour variation and taxonomy of Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and P. fulvescens Stager, 1961 (Piciformes: Picidae)

Picumnus limae Snethlage, 1924 and Picumnus fulvescens Stager, 1961 are two similar species of piculets distinguished by their plumage colouration and distribution. We present here a taxonomic reassessment of these two species based on a large sample of museum specimens and photographic material. We show that the two species are highly variable in colouration, showing a clinal colour gradient. Picumnus fulvescens is not diagnosable from P. limae by any morphological features or vocalization. We thus suggest that P. fulvescens should be considered a synonym of P. limae, which presents a large variation in plumage colour.