Treecreepers · Perching birds
Eurasian Treecreeper
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Certhia familiaris
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Voice
Call
Song
How to recognize it
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12.5 cm long
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Mottled brown back, pale underside, rusty rump
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Climbs trunks upward in short hops, bracing on stiff tail
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Quiet, high-pitched call, "sit"
About the species
On a tree trunk, its warm brown back is flecked with black, buff and white, set against a pale underside and rusty rump. A slender, curved bill probes the bark, while stiff tail feathers brace it against the trunk. Where it shares woodland with the Short-toed Treecreeper, it is generally whiter below and more richly marked above.
It climbs in short, upward hops, circling a trunk as it picks insects and spiders from bark crevices. A quiet, high “sit” contrasts with its sharper “tsree.” At the top, it flies to the base of another tree instead of climbing down headfirst; in cold weather, several may roost together in a sheltered crevice.
It lives in mature woods, from conifer stands to broadleaf and mixed forest, as well as parks and large gardens. It feeds mostly on insects and spiders, adding some conifer seeds in colder months. Many populations in the milder west and south stay year-round, while some northern populations move south and mountain breeders descend in winter.
Where to find
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In a mature city park or large garden, look for Eurasian Treecreepers on trunks, climbing upward in short hops as they search bark crevices for invertebrates.
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On building walls, they sometimes hunt for invertebrates too — scan these vertical surfaces as well.
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In western European conifer forests, especially among spruce and fir, they sometimes search among fallen needles for prey.
