Brown Creeper

Related Resources Types of Birds

Many woodland areas across the United States are home to the Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), the sole North American representative of the Certhia genus with the nickname tree creepers.

Brown Creepers are small birds with decurved bills, that often live year-round in one location. Often they are one of only a few resident species seen during winter birding outings.

In their northern most ranges, or in mountain areas, they migrate short distances Southward or down to the valleys.

They spend their days flying between, and walking up tree trunks and branches in search of insects and spiders, their primarily source of food. During winter, they also eat seeds. The bottom picture highlights the bird's white breast and decurved bill.

Both pictures accurately depict the size of the bird. The top picture shows the bird's brown mottled feathers that easily blend into a tree bark background.

Their distinct look makes them an easy species to identify.

© 2008. Patricia A. Michaels