Short-toed Treecreeper

Certhia brachydactyla

This tiny tree-climbing specialist scurries up trunks with spider-like agility, probing bark crevices for hidden insects with its curved bill.

Share this bird:

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

The Short-toed Treecreeper can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Short-toed Treecreeper can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Short-toed Treecreeper can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Short-toed Treecreeper is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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