facts about the brown creeper
By zteve t evans
The Brown creeper (Certhia americana) is also known as the American tree creeper. It has a high pitched song which although can be heard makes it difficult to pinpoint and the colouration of its plumage is a masterpiece of camouflage making it a very difficult bird to detect. It has a wide distribution ranging throughout the North American continent and as far south to northern parts of Nicaragua.
Description
Brown creeper adult birds are brown on the back and backs of their wings and very much the color of tree bark. They have white under parts and are up to 5.3 inches long. They have a long, thin downward curving bill and a long tail. The bill of the male is slightly larger than that of the female.
Diet
It largely occupies itself in the pursuit of invertebrates that live in the bark of trees. Methodically it will begin its hunt at the base of a tree probing with its thin, curved beak into nooks and crannies of bark for prey, while working its way upwards. Sometimes it will work around a tree in spirals. When it reaches the top it will move on to search another tree.
Brown creeper adult birds are brown on the back and backs of their wings and very much the color of tree bark. They have white under parts and are up to 5.3 inches long. They have a long, thin downward curving bill and a long tail. The bill of the male is slightly larger than that of the female.
Diet
It largely occupies itself in the pursuit of invertebrates that live in the bark of trees. Methodically it will begin its hunt at the base of a tree probing with its thin, curved beak into nooks and crannies of bark for prey, while working its way upwards. Sometimes it will work around a tree in spirals. When it reaches the top it will move on to search another tree.
Nesting
The Brown creeper is found in many different wooded ranges but prefers areas of dense canopy trees with a good range of dying or dead trees to build its nest and living trees to forage for food in. In summer it prefers mature and older wooded environments but will venture into parks, suburbs and deciduous forests in winter.
In 1979 it was discovered that this bird made its nest hammock-like hidden behind a loose flap of bark, or in holes in a dying or dead tree. It uses local materials such as twigs, feathers, bark, spider webs and moss.
Migration
Brown creepers migrate from northern and mountain breeding ranges but otherwise they are considered permanent residents. There is not much reliable information available on its breeding habits. Although during the breeding season they are territorial birds when winter comes they often join up with other species to form flocks and roost with others of their kind.
Threats
Logging has taken its toll on the Brown creeper and the loss of forest has been detrimental to its numbers. Though in areas that have been reforested there has been an increase in numbers.
© 30/10/2009 zteve t evans
The Brown creeper is found in many different wooded ranges but prefers areas of dense canopy trees with a good range of dying or dead trees to build its nest and living trees to forage for food in. In summer it prefers mature and older wooded environments but will venture into parks, suburbs and deciduous forests in winter.
In 1979 it was discovered that this bird made its nest hammock-like hidden behind a loose flap of bark, or in holes in a dying or dead tree. It uses local materials such as twigs, feathers, bark, spider webs and moss.
Migration
Brown creepers migrate from northern and mountain breeding ranges but otherwise they are considered permanent residents. There is not much reliable information available on its breeding habits. Although during the breeding season they are territorial birds when winter comes they often join up with other species to form flocks and roost with others of their kind.
Threats
Logging has taken its toll on the Brown creeper and the loss of forest has been detrimental to its numbers. Though in areas that have been reforested there has been an increase in numbers.
© 30/10/2009 zteve t evans
Reference and Attributions
Copyright October 30, 2009 zteve t evans
Copyright October 30, 2009 zteve t evans
- Brown Creeper - National Geographic
- Brown creeper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Brown Creeper, Identification, All About Birds