Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)
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uses wildlife trees
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FIELD MARKS
The Brown Creeper is the only species of creeper in British Columbia.
These birds spend much of their lifetime in direct contact with tree bark.
They look a lot like a piece of bark with their dark brown upperparts
that are streaked with greyish-white and dark brown wings. They have a
long thin bill that curves downward to a sharp point. Their underparts
are white and their tail is long with stiff, pointy feathers. Approximate
length: 12 cm
FOOD
Insects make up the bulk of the Brown Creeper's diet. It also feeds on
spiders and some seeds. It can usually be seen creeping up the trunk of
a tree with its tail pressed up against the trunk, carefully scanning
the crevices in the bark for food.
HABITAT
The Brown Creeper lives mainly in mature woodland, both coniferous and deciduous.
It can often be seen foraging in trees of residential areas.
NESTING
Females usually build the nests under loose bark of a tree, but sometimes
in natural cavities or woodpecker holes. The nest is crescent-shaped and
built of twigs, bark fibres, moss, feathers and spider webs. The female
lays 4-8 white eggs that have a few reddish-brown spots.
STATUS
Although this bird is still common, its population is declining with the
harvesting of mature forests. |
Family CERTHIIDAE: Creepers
