Short-toed Treecreeper
Least ConcernCerthia brachydactyla
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Short-toed Treecreeper is a small, brown bird with a slender, curved bill and stiff tail feathers. Its upperparts are mottled brown, providing excellent camouflage against tree bark, while the underparts are predominantly white with a buff tinge.
Both sexes look alike, with no significant seasonal plumage changes. Juveniles closely resemble adults but may have slightly more diffuse markings and a shorter bill.
Size
Length
12cm to 13.5cm
Wingspan
17cm to 20cm
Weight
7.5g to 11g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Brown White
Secondary Colour
Buff Grey
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Brown
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Short-toed Treecreepers are found throughout much of western and southern Europe, including parts of North Africa and the Middle East. They inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, and mature gardens with large trees.
In the UK, they are primarily found in southern and eastern England, with some populations in Wales. Their range has been expanding northward in recent decades, possibly due to climate change.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Mediterranean
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Short-toed Treecreeper. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Short-toed Treecreeper displays remarkable agility, expertly spiralling up tree trunks and navigating vertical surfaces with ease. Their specialised feet and stiff tail feathers enable precise movements when foraging and climbing.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small bird weighing between 7.5-11g, the Short-toed Treecreeper has limited strength. However, it possesses enough power to cling to bark and extract insects from crevices using its curved bill.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds show good adaptability, inhabiting various woodland types, parks, and even urban gardens with mature trees. Their expanding range northward suggests an ability to adjust to changing environmental conditions.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Short-toed Treecreepers are generally non-aggressive, often solitary or found in pairs. They may engage in territorial disputes during breeding season, but overall exhibit low aggression levels compared to many bird species.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
While not long-distance migrants, these birds demonstrate good endurance in their continuous foraging activities, climbing trees throughout the day. Their ability to raise two broods per season also indicates decent stamina.
Diet
The Short-toed Treecreeper's diet consists primarily of small invertebrates found on tree bark. They feed on insects, spiders, and their eggs and larvae, which they extract from crevices using their specialised curved bill.
In winter, they may occasionally supplement their diet with small seeds.
Behaviour
Short-toed Treecreepers exhibit a distinctive spiralling movement as they climb up tree trunks, using their stiff tail feathers for support. They forage by probing into bark crevices with their specialised curved bills.
These birds are generally solitary or found in pairs, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season.
Vocalisation
The Short-toed Treecreeper's call is a high-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee-tsee'. Their song is a series of high, tinkling notes, often described as 'tit-tit-tit-e-tit'.
During territorial disputes, they may produce a rapid, trilling 'srrri-srrri-srrri' sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Short-toed Treecreepers typically begins in April. Males establish territories and attract females with their songs and display flights.
Nests are built behind loose bark or in tree crevices, constructed from twigs, bark strips, and moss, lined with feathers and hair. Females lay 5-6 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.
Incubation lasts about 14-15 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 15-17 days. Pairs often raise two broods per season.
Lifespan
The Short-toed Treecreeper typically lives for 2 to 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 5.9 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Short-toed Treecreeper is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature woodlands and maintaining a diverse age structure in managed forests to ensure suitable foraging and nesting sites.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their characteristic spiralling movement up tree trunks
- Listen for their high-pitched, thin calls
- Search in mature woodlands with large, rough-barked trees
- Observe carefully, as they can be easily confused with the similar Eurasian Treecreeper
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Short-toed Creeper
Family:
CerthiidaePredators
Main predators include sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and small mammals such as pine martens and squirrels. Nest predators may include woodpeckers and some corvids.
Did You Know?
- Short-toed Treecreepers can climb up vertical surfaces using their specialised feet and stiff tail feathers.
- They are one of the few bird species that almost never climb down trees, instead flying to the base to start over.
- Their thin, curved bill is perfectly adapted for probing bark crevices for insects.
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References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Certhia brachydactyla. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22711249A87839163.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source