Treecreeper Bird Facts (Certhia familiaris)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Treecreeper is a small, slim bird with mottled brown upperparts and white underparts.

Its long, curved bill is perfectly adapted for probing bark crevices, and its stiff tail feathers provide support while climbing. The feet are large, brownish-pink with long curved toes, which they use in gripping onto trees.

Both sexes look similar, with juveniles resembling adults but showing slightly more spotted plumage. There are no significant seasonal changes in appearance.

Size

Length

12cm to 14cm

Wingspan

17cm to 21cm

Weight

7g to 12g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown White

Secondary Colour

Buff

Beak Colour

Brown Pink

Leg Colour

Brown Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Treecreeper can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Treecreeper is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Treecreepers inhabit mature deciduous and mixed woodlands across Europe and Asia. They prefer areas with large, old trees that provide ample foraging opportunities.

In the UK, Treecreepers are widespread residents, found in suitable woodland habitats throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. They are less common in areas with fewer mature trees.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a 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

Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iran Ireland Italy Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Netherlands North Korea Norway Poland Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine Uzbekistan

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird 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 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Treecreeper's remarkable ability to spiral up tree trunks with precision and navigate through bark crevices demonstrates exceptional agility. Their specially adapted feet and tail feathers further enhance their nimble movements in their arboreal habitat.

Strength 30

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not particularly strong compared to larger birds, Treecreepers possess enough strength to grip tree bark firmly and extract insects from crevices. Their small size limits their overall strength, but they are well-suited to their specialised foraging technique.

Adaptability 70

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Treecreepers show good adaptability, inhabiting various woodland types across a wide elevation range. Their ability to join mixed-species flocks in winter and occasionally supplement their diet with seeds demonstrates flexibility. However, their reliance on mature trees for foraging and nesting somewhat limits their adaptability.

Aggressiveness 20

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Treecreepers are generally non-aggressive birds, typically solitary or found in small family groups. They don't exhibit territorial behaviour beyond normal breeding season interactions, focusing more on foraging than confrontations with other birds.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While small in size, Treecreepers display decent endurance through their continuous climbing and foraging activities. Their ability to withstand cold temperatures by roosting in groups also suggests a fair level of hardiness. However, their small size likely limits their overall endurance compared to larger bird species.

Diet

Treecreepers primarily feed on small insects and spiders found in tree bark. They use their long, curved bills to probe crevices and extract prey. Their diet includes beetles, moths, and their larvae, as well as small spiders. In winter, they may occasionally eat seeds to supplement their diet.

Behaviour

Treecreepers exhibit a distinctive spiralling movement as they climb up tree trunks, searching for insects. They typically start at the base of a tree and work their way up, then fly down to the base of another tree to repeat the process.

These birds are generally solitary but may join mixed-species flocks in winter.

Vocalisation

The Treecreeper's call is a high-pitched, thin 'tsee-tsee-tsee'. Its song is a delicate, sweet warble that sounds like 'see-see-sissy-see'.

During the breeding season, males sing more frequently, often from high perches or during short display flights between trees.

Nesting & Breeding

Treecreepers typically form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, from April to July in most of their range. Males attract females with song and display flights.

Nests are built behind loose bark or in tree crevices constructed from twigs, bark strips, and moss lined with feathers. Females lay 5-6 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 15 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after 15-17 days but continue to receive parental care for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While the Treecreeper is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and the removal of old, mature trees. Climate change may also impact its distribution and food availability.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving mature woodlands and promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

40,000,000 - 76,000,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Treecreepers on the trunks of large, mature trees
Listen for their high-pitched, thin calls
Observe their characteristic spiralling movement up tree trunks
In the UK, check oak and beech woodlands for the best chances of spotting them
Their camouflage can make these active little birds difficult to spot, although once seen, they are easy to identify

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Eurasian Treecreeper

Family:

Certhiidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Max Lifespan

8.2 years ^[4]

Predators

Treecreepers are preyed upon by various woodland predators, including sparrowhawks, tawny owls, and domestic cats in areas close to human habitation.

Did You Know?

Treecreepers have specially adapted feet with long toes and sharp claws for gripping tree bark.
They always climb up trees, never down, using their stiff tail feathers for support.
In cold weather, Treecreepers may roost together in small groups to conserve heat.
Allegedly originating in the West Country, an alternative name for the treecreeper is the tree mouse, following its resemblance to a mouse as it scurries up trees.
Some studies have noted individual birds who have limited themselves to a 500-metre radius only.

References

1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Certhia familiaris (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22735060A111155023.
View source
3
report, 2015: EBCC
4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source