Western Europe Birds & Birding (#42/52): From the Highland Willow Scrub of Scotland to the Aegean Islands in the Sea of Crete, Western Europe is home to over 800 resident, migratory and vagrant birds. From songbirds to gamebirds and from waterfowl to raptors, you can find birds virtually in every nook and cranny of this beautiful area. *All images showcased in this blog series were taken and edited by me.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
The Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) is a small passerine bird found in woodlands through much of the warmer regions of Europe and into north Africa.
Physical Characteristics:
The Short-toed Treecreeper’s appearance is shared by other treecreepers: small, streaked and spotted brown upperparts, rufous rumps, and whitish underparts. These birds have long, decurved bills and stiff tail feathers that provide support as they creep up tree trunks in search of insects. Their cryptic plumage helps them blend seamlessly into their woodland habitat.
Diet:
The Short-toed Treecreeper primarily seeks invertebrate food on tree trunks. Starting near the base of a tree, it spirals its way upward, using its stiff tail feathers for support. Unlike nuthatches, which come down trees headfirst, the treecreeper flies to the base of another nearby tree. Its long, thin bill extracts insects and spiders from crevices in the bark. While it typically feeds on trees, it occasionally forages on walls, bare ground, or among fallen pine needles.
Abundance and Distribution:
Range: The Short-toed Treecreeper breeds in temperate woodlands across Europe, spanning from Portugal to Turkey and Greece. It also occurs in northwest Africa.
Habitat Preference: It favors well-grown trees, especially oak, and avoids pure stands of conifers. In areas where it overlaps with the common treecreeper, the latter species tends to inhabit coniferous forests and higher altitudes.
Population: The Short-toed Treecreeper is common throughout much of its range. However, it is rarer in certain locales, such as the Caucasus and Channel Islands.
IUCN Red List Status:
The Short-toed Treecreeper is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its extensive and stable range, along with a healthy population, contributes to this status. Although it shares its European range with the common treecreeper, the Short-toed Treecreeper maintains a more southerly distribution and prefers deciduous trees at lower altitudes.
For more information, you can explore the IUCN Red List and learn about the conservation status of various species.
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER WAS LIFER #1046
Reflections of the Natural World 