From Opus

Photo by Pauliev69
Photographed: Low Barns, Co. Durham

Certhia familiaris

[edit] Identification

L. 12.5-14cm; this is a small, elongated bird, fairly drab in appearance, streaked brownish above and white below. It has long stiff tail feathers which help it creep up tree trunks like a mouse looking for insects. It has a long curved bill.

[edit] Similar Species

Very similar to Short-toed Treecreeper.

[edit] Distribution

Common and widespread in the British Isles and from east and south-east France east across Europe to the Urals. Isolated populations breeding in central and south-west France, the Pyrenees and Cantabrians, Corsica and the Apennines, in northern Turkey and the Caucasus. A partial migrant in north of range, occasionally eruptive, but mainly resident elsewhere.

Vagrants recorded in the Faroes, Channel Islands and now annually in the Netherlands.

[edit] Taxonomy

This species has previously been considered to include American Treecreeper.

[edit] Subspecies

Nominate familiaris occurs over much of Europe, rather pale and grey, becoming more so towards the east. Western race macrodactyla darker and more brownish above with flanks washed buff and British and Irish race britannica similar but more buffish below. Turkish and Caucasian race persica resembles nominate but darker and drabber above.

[edit] Habitat

In areas where Short-toed Treecreeper also occurs this species tends to be confined to upland areas and often conifers. Elsewhere found in deciduous woodland, parks and large gardens. In parks often found on exotic redwood trees.

[edit] Behaviour

Will climb up a tree trunk looking for insects and spiders in the crevices of the bark and using its feet with a long hindclaw to cling onto the trunk. Once close to the top of one tree it will fly to the base of the next and then work its way up again; it will never go down the trunk or branch, or even for a short time sit with the head pointing down.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] External Links