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  • Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Treecreeper
Treecreeper
Treecreeper upside down
Treecreeper upside down
  • Scientific name: Certhia familiaris
  • Bird family: Treecreepers
  • UK conservation status: Green
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Treecreeper call audio

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Volker Arnold, Xeno-canto

Key information

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.

What they eat:

Insects and spiders, and some seeds in winter.

Measurements:

Length:
12.5cm
Wingspan:
18-21cm
Weight:
8-12g

Population:

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.
UK breeding:
200,000 territories

Identifying features:

Treecreeper

Treecreeper illustration
Feather colour: Black Brown Cream/buff White
Leg colour: Brown Pink
Beak: Black Medium length Curved Thin
Natural habitats: Woodland Farmland Urban and suburban

Similar birds:

Short toed treecreeper
Short-toed treecreeper

Where and when to see them

Treecreepers are best looked for on the trunks of trees in suitable woodland. In autumn and winter, they often join 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.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Treecreeper distribution map

Treecreepers can be seen all year round.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Church Wood

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