Eurasian Treecreeper

Certhia familiaris

Genus · Typical Treecreepers Family · Treecreepers
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Forest coniferousForest mixed

Look for small, jerky movements on pine or spruce trunks. Its thin, high-pitched song is often the easiest way to spot this well-camouflaged bird.

Eurasian Treecreeper
Stats
Wingspan17–21 cm
Weight7–12 g
Length12–13 cm
Lifespan wild2–8 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size5–6 eggs
Incubation13–15 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Insectivore

🦗Insects
🕷️Spiders
🐛Larvae
🥚Eggs
🌻Seeds

Habitat

🌲 Forest coniferous🌲🌳 Forest mixed
✦ Fun Fact

These birds have stiff tail feathers that act as support against tree trunks, helping them stay balanced while they search bark for insects.

About

A small, inconspicuous bird specialized for life on tree trunks. It is nearly identical to the Short-toed Treecreeper. It has a streaked brown back that blends with bark and a silky white belly. Its stiff tail acts as a support. In Europe, it prefers coniferous forests and higher altitudes. It is mostly a non-migratory species, remaining in woodland throughout the year.

Behaviour

The Treecreeper forages with a disciplined technique. It lands at the base of a tree and hitches upward in a spiral. It probes crevices for insects and larvae with its long, curved bill. When it reaches higher branches, it flies down to the base of a nearby tree to repeat the process. Its song is a high-pitched, thin ripple of notes.

Similar species

Short-toed Treecreeper
🐦
Short-toed Treecreeper
Certhia brachydactyla
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