Aptly named, the brown creeper is indeed brown and agilely creeps up trees as it forages. Relatively common and widespread through much of North America, this unique bird is easily overlooked because of its superb camouflage.

Common Name:

Brown Creeper, American Treecreeper

Scientific Name:

Certhia americana

Appearance:

• Bill: Dark, thin, long, slightly downcurved
• Size: 5.5 inches long with 7.5-inch wingspan, long tail

• Colors: Brown, buff, white, gray, rufous
• Markings: Genders are similar. Upperparts are heavily mottled with streaks and spots in brown, buff and gray. The head is marked with a thick white eyebrow. Wings are darker with white and buff edging, and a thick buff band visible in flight. Underparts are white and may show a buff wash on the undertail coverts. The dark tail is sharply forked and shows a rufous tinge at the base and on the rump. Eyes are dark and legs and feet are pale. Overall coloration can vary geographically with gray, brown and red morphs.

Foods:

Insects, seeds, nuts

Habitat and Migration:

Brown creepers prefer mature coniferous or mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, particularly with pine, spruce and fir trees, and they can be found in parks and gardens with appropriate mature trees. Their year-round range extends through the swamps, mountains and forests from southern Alaska to central California, and further south through the western mountain ranges to Mexico and Central America, as well as in similar areas around the Great Lakes to the northeastern United States.

During the summer, they extend their breeding range across southern Canada, and in winter they can be found in appropriate habitats throughout the continental United States, though they are missing from the desert southwest and the tropical regions of Florida.

Vocalizations:

These birds can be relatively vocal, and their song is a high, thin, whistling warble with a varied tempo and pitch. The typical call is a sharp "reeeeep" that may be made singly or could be repeated several times in an even sequence.

Behavior:

While foraging, brown creepers work their way up trees in a spiral pattern using their stiff tails for balance, similar to woodpeckers but without sideways or downwards movements. They are typically found alone or in pairs, though in winter they often join mixed foraging flocks with chickadees, nuthatches and downy woodpeckers. When threatened, they use their camouflaged plumage to great effect by spreading their wings and flattening against the tree to blend in to its bark. While roosting, they will typically hang on a tree's trunk or alongside a large branch.

Reproduction:

Brown creepers are monogamous birds that may nest in cavities or, more frequently, under a loose flap of bark on a dead or dying tree. After mating, the female bird will incubate a brood of 2-8 eggs for 13-17 days. Both parents continue to care for the altricial young for a further 12-16 days after hatching. Only one brood is raised per year.

Attracting Brown Creepers:

While not as common a backyard bird as woodpeckers and nuthatches, these small songbirds will visit backyards where mature trees are present. They may occasionally visit feeders offering nuts, suet and peanut butter, especially if the feeders are placed near appropriate trees. Backyard birders hoping to attract brown creepers can also smear suet or peanut butter directly on trees.

Similar Birds:

• Eurasian Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris)
• Short-Toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
• Brown-Headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
• Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)
• Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)

Photo – Brown Creeper © Nick Saunders