Certhia
americana
(Brown Creeper)
Physical
Description:
5 5-3/4"
(13-15 cm). Brown camouflaged back that looks like the bark on the tree it is
often climbing up with the use of its long, stiff tail. Whitish below; white
eyebrow; long, downcurved bill.
Song:
Call is a single, very lispy
tsee. Song is a high-pitched whistle: trees-trees-trees see the trees.
Distribution:
Breeds across
portions of Alaska and Canada, south to southern California, mountains of middle
America, western Texas, and portions of midwestern and eastern United States.
Winters throughout breeding range (except for higher latitudes and elevations),
south to Gulf Coast.
Habitat:
Found in forests, woodlands, and swamps. During winter and in migration
, also found in scrub and
parks. Preliminary results of northern Idaho study indicated species was more
abundant in continuous old growth than in fragmented or selectively harvested
stands.
Diet:
Eats mainly insects and
other invertebrates (including immature stages). Also eats some nuts and seeds.
Ecology:
Usually nests under bark
in tree; will sometimes nest in cavity. When pursued, spreads wings and remains
motionless on tree trunk. Forages on bark of tree trunks and branches.
size varies from 4-8 eggs,
but is commonly 5-6. Incubation lasts 14-15 days. Young are tended by both parents,
and leave nest at 13-16 days.
Conservation:
| Element Code: | ABPBA01010 |
| Status: | Protected nongame species |
| Global Rank: | G5 |
| State Rank: | S5,NTMB |
| National Rank: | N5 |
Important
State References:
Hejl, S.J. and L.C. Paige. 1993. Birds in continuous and fragmented
forests of western red cedar/western hemlock in northern Idaho: a preliminary
assessment. Draft manuscript, Inter. Res. Sta., USDA Forest Service, Missoula.
18pp.