Brown Creeper

Scientific Name: Certhia americana

Classification: Order: Passeriformes; Family: Certhiidae

A small, slender woodland bird that hitches upward along tree trunks in a spiral fashion, using its thin, curved bill to extract insects.

Region of Origin: North America (Canada, USA, and parts of Mexico)
Typical Sighting Period: Year-round in many regions, but commonly seen in southern US during winter
Plumage Details: Streaked brown above, resembling tree bark, with a white belly and a buff-colored line over the eye. Long, stiff, brown tail feathers used for support.
Ecological Significance: Controls insect populations in forests by gleaning eggs, larvae, and small insects from deep within bark crevices.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN); population trends are generally stable.
Observation Tips: Look for a tiny bird moving upward on a tree trunk like a piece of moving bark. They always climb up and then fly to the base of a new tree.

Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm); Wingspan: 6.7-7.9 in (17-20 cm); Weight: 0.2-0.4 oz (5-10 g)

Primarily small insects, spiders, and their eggs, found in bark furrows; occasionally eats seeds or suet in winter.

Mature coniferous or deciduous forests and woodlands with large trees.

Short-distance migrant; many northern birds move south to the central and southern US for winter.

High-pitched, thin 'tsee' calls; song is a delicate, tinkling series of high notes: 'trees, beautiful trees.'

Builds a hammock-shaped nest behind a loose flap of bark on a dead or dying tree; typically lays 5-6 eggs.

Thin, downward-curved bill; stiff tail feathers braced against bark; brown-and-white streaked upperparts providing camouflage.

Nuthatches (which climb downward) and Black-and-white Warblers (which don't use their tail for support).

The Brown Creeper is known for its incredible camouflage; when it stays still against a tree trunk, it is nearly impossible to see.