The RSPB: Treecreeper

Conservation status: Green

The treecreeper is small, very active, bird that lives in trees. It has a long, slender, downcurved bill. It is speckly brown above and mainly white below. It breeds in the UK and is resident here. Birds leave their breeding territories in autumn but most range no further than 20 km. Its population is mainly stable.

Overview

Latin name

Certhia familiaris

Family

Treecreepers (Certhidae)

Where to see them

Best looked for on the trunks of trees in suitable woodland. In autumn and winter, it often joins flocks of tits and other small birds, so if you come across such a flock in a wood, it is worth listening out for a treecreeper among them.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Insects and spiders, and some seeds in winter.

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	214,000 territories	-	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.