Brown creeper Facts for Kids

For the similarly named Australian bird see Brown treecreeper.

For the similarly named New Zealand bird see Brown creeper (New Zealand).

Quick facts for kids Brown creeper

Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Certhia
Species:	americana

The brown creeper (Certhia americana), also known as the American treecreeper, is a small songbird. It is the only member of the treecreeper family found in North America.

What Does the Brown Creeper Look Like?
- Size and Weight
- What Does It Sound Like?
Where Do Brown Creepers Live?
- Preferred Habitat
How Do Brown Creepers Behave?
How Do Brown Creepers Raise Their Young?
Conservation Status
Gallery
See also

What Does the Brown Creeper Look Like?

Brown creepers are small birds. Their upper parts are brown with light spots. This helps them blend in with tree bark. Their undersides are white.

They have a long, thin beak that curves slightly downwards. They also have a long, stiff tail. They use their tail to help them climb trees. Male creepers usually have a slightly bigger beak than females.

Size and Weight

Length: 4.7 to 5.5 inches (12 to 14 cm)
Weight: 0.2 to 0.3 ounces (5 to 10 g)
Wingspan: 6.7 to 7.9 inches (17 to 20 cm)

What Does It Sound Like?

Their calls are very high-pitched and short. They often sound like "see" or "swee." Their song is a bit longer. It can sound like "pee pee willow wee" or "see tidle swee."

Where Do Brown Creepers Live?

Brown creepers live in Canada, Alaska, and parts of the United States. They prefer mature forests, especially those with conifer trees. These are trees like pines and spruces.

Many brown creepers stay in the same area all year. However, some birds from northern areas fly south for the winter. This is called migration. Sometimes, a brown creeper might fly far from its usual home. This is called being a vagrant. They have been seen in places like Bermuda and the mountains of Central America.

Preferred Habitat

Brown creepers like forests that are old and a bit damp. They prefer forests with a mix of conifer and deciduous trees. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall. They can also live in drier forests. While they often nest in hardwood trees, they like to find food in conifer trees.

How Do Brown Creepers Behave?

Brown creepers are very interesting to watch. They usually start at the bottom of a tree trunk. Then, they spiral upwards, searching for food. Once they reach the top, they fly down to the bottom of another tree. They repeat this process.

They move slowly, keeping their bodies flat against the tree bark. They use their beaks to poke into the bark. They are looking for small insects and other tiny creatures. Sometimes, in winter, they will also eat seeds. They rarely look for food on the ground.

How Do Brown Creepers Raise Their Young?

The breeding season for brown creepers usually starts in April. The female builds a cup-shaped nest. She often places it under a piece of bark that is partly loose from the tree. Sometimes, she will build it inside a tree cavity.

She lays about 3 to 7 eggs. The eggs hatch after about two weeks. Both the mother and father help to feed the baby birds.

Conservation Status

The number of brown creepers has gone down in some parts of North America. However, in places like Washington state, their numbers seem to be stable or even slightly increasing.

These birds prefer large, old forests with certain types of trees. This means they could be affected by things like logging or climate change. However, they are not currently considered a species of serious concern in most areas.