Treecreeper - Certhia familiaris

Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris)
(aka Eurasian Treecreeper)

Scotland

The Treecreeper is found throughout Europe and Asia as far as Japan. It inhabits woodland but is not confined to any particular species of tree. It does, however, need trees with loose bark for nesting and roosting so is less likely to be found in managed woodland.

The Treecreeper is actually a very small bird which looks bigger due to its longish, decurved bill and its long tail.

It uses its long tail very like a woodpecker and the tail feather shafts project at the tips as can be seen in the second photo. It generally works its way up a tree trunk looking for insects and spiders in the crevices of the bark and using its feet with a noticeably long hindclaw to cling onto the trunk. Once close to the top of one tree it will fly to the base of the next and then work its way up that.

This is the only treecreeper normally found in Britain but in continental Europe it can be easily confused with the Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla. The Short-toed does have a shorter hindclaw, has duller markings, a longer bill and more even steps along the edge of the wing-bar rather than the big black notch that can be seen well in the second photo.

Treecreeper, Insh Marshes, Highland, Scotland, August 2005 - click for larger image

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