What are the differences between the short-toed treecreeper and the short-toed treecreeper? What does the treecreeper look like and how do you recognize a treecreeper nest? We answer these and other questions in our profile.
The Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla) is a rather inconspicuous visitor. Its brown patterned plumage camouflages it perfectly when perched in a tree, making it difficult to spot. However, when it goes in search of food, it scurries along tree trunks and branches with its jerky gait and can be easily observed. Treecreeper always walk upwards. When they get to the top of the tree, they fly to the next one, landing far down the trunk and continuing their hunt upwards. You can find out how to distinguish the nimble birds from their closest relatives, the treecreeper, how to recognize them by their song and how you can offer the short-toed treecreeper a home here in our large profile.
Treecreeper: Wanted Poster
| Size | Approx. 12 - 13 cm |
| Weight | About 11 g |
| Incubation | April - July |
| Lifetime | About 5 years |
| Habitat | Old-growth forests, parks and gardens with old trees |
| Food Preference | Insects, Spiders and Tree Seeds |
| Threats | Declining food and habitat |
How to recognize the short-toed treecreeper
Treecreepers are rather inconspicuous, small birds. Their plumage is patterned brown-grey on top, while the throat, chest, and belly are colored off-white. Its face is adorned with a faint, light-colored stripe above its eyes and a long, narrow, curved beak. The short-toed treecreeper uses their long brown tail to support themselves when they move vertically up a tree trunk.
Male and female short-toed treecreepers are indistinguishable from a purely visual point of view. And the young birds look so similar to their parents that they cannot be clearly distinguished from themcan separate.
What is the difference between short-toed treecreeper and short-toed treecreeper?
Treecreepers look confusingly similar to their closest relatives, the Treecreeper. While there are certain characteristics by which species can be distinguished, these vary from individual to individual and are therefore not always clear. One of these features is the narrow, pointed beak, which is significantly longer in the garden treecreeper than in the treecreeper. However, the treecreeper has a longer hind toe and usually a lighter belly. Experts also find differences in the wing pattern, but these can only be seen if you look very closely.
Note: The best way to tell the difference between short-toed treecreepers and treecreepers is not their appearance, but their song.
What does the treecreeper song sound like?
The song of the treecreeper consists of a stanza of high, fine whistles that form a small trill in the middle: "Tüütetitü-tü-tititit". In addition to this distinctive song, the treecreeper also has a few calls that sound just as high and fine and consist of individual, clear whistles.
The song of the treecreeper sounds like this:
What do treecreeper eggs look like?
The eggs of the short-toed treecreeper are about 1.5 centimeters in size, have a whitish base color and are decorated with fine reddish-brown speckles. A clutch usually consists of four to six eggs, which are laid in a nest made of brushwood, moss or blades of grass. The nest cavity is additionally lined with fine feathers and animal hair.
What habitat does the short-toed treecreeper prefer?
The short-toed treecreeper loves big, old trees. It can therefore be found in deciduous forests or meadow orchards, but also in large parks or gardens with old trees. Other possible habitats are avenues, cemeteries or semi-open landscapes with smaller or larger groups of trees.
Where does the short-toed treecreeper build its nest?
Treecreepers build a cup-shaped nest from a wide variety of materials. The nest is built in tree cracks, wall crevices or building niches, often hidden behind protruding bark. Both of the short-toed treecreeper take care of building the nest itselfBroodmate.
When is the breeding season of the short-toed treecreeper?
The breeding season of the short-toed treecreeper begins in April when the first eggs are laid. These are incubated for about two weeks. The young birds then hatch and are fed around the clock by both parents for a further 14 days. After the little treecreepers have left the nest, they are cared for by their parents for just a few more weeks before they are completely on their own.
Where does the short-toed treecreeper spend the winter?
Treecreepers are sedentary birds that spend the whole year in their breeding grounds. They therefore do not fly south, but stay with us during the cold winter months. Although the little treecreeper are actually solitary animals, they form smaller groups of up to 20 animals in particularly cold times, which warm each other up in suitable shelters.
Support the short-toed treecreeper in the garden: This is how it works
As the name suggests, short-toed treecreepers can also be observed in domestic gardens. Here you can find out how you can offer the climbing artist an inviting home.
What do treecreepers eat?
Treecreepers change their diet depending on the season. In the summer and during the breeding season, they mainly eat insects and other small animals, which they collect between crevices in the bark. They also use fine tree seeds in winter when the insect supply dwindles.
If you want to offer a feeding station in the garden in winter, you can also observe one or the other treecreeper there. The little birds like to eat fatty food or fat balls in particular. Our Plantura fat balls are therefore ideal for the little treecreeper. These consist of pure insect fat as well as high-quality seeds, berries and nuts and are therefore a natural and rich feed for many garden birds.
Note: Since short-toed treecreepers usually move directly along the trunk of a tree, it makes sense to install a small feeding station directly there.
Which nest boxes are suitable for short-toed treecreepers?
Anyone who wants to offer a nesting box for short-toed treecreepers should give some more thought to its construction, because the little climbers have special requirements for their artificial nesting sites. The so-called treecreeper cavesbasically resemble a semi-hollow box, but are completely closed at the front and have a small slot entrance of about 7 cm high at the back.
How can you support the short-toed treecreeper?
Plant food and bird seed are of interest to the short-toed treecreeper mainly in winter. If you want to support the little songbird in summer and during the breeding season, you can create a rich supply of food by designing an insect-friendly garden. Avoiding the use of chemical sprays will prevent wild birds from being poisoned through the food chain.
In summer, all garden birds are also happy about the offer of a watering hole. A flat bowl or trivet can easily be converted into a bird bath or birdbath. It is only important that the water point is cleaned regularly, otherwise bird diseases can spread at such collection points. This risk is particularly high on hot days, which is why water and feeding areas should be cleaned daily during this time.
Another small bird that likes to hunt insects on trees and can be seen here all year round is, for example, the smallest European songbird: the goldcrest.