Short-toed Treecreeper
Treecreeper ( Certhia brachydactyla ) at a birch
The Treecreeper ( Certhia brachydactyla ) is a passerine bird of the family of tree-creeper ( Certhiidae ). He is in many parts of Central Europe, a breeding bird, which is found mainly in the lowlands.
The IUCN classifies the Treecreeper one as not at risk ( least concern ).
Description
The Treecreeper resembles its relative, the Treecreeper in appearance so much that both are hardly distinguishable from each other. In Field observations usually the vocalizations are used to distinguish the two species.
The Treecreeper reaches a height of 12 centimeters and weighs about 11 grams. Its sharp beak is curved downward and is up to 12 mm long. Its underside is white, its top rind color and his eyes glancing over white. Males and females have the same color. Its relatively long tail serves to support and to control in flight. In particular, the middle tail feathers are very stiff to allow the supporting.
Newly hatched nestlings of the garden tree runner have to face and neck each have a tuft of long gray dunes. The throat is yellow and the Schnabelwülste are yellowish white.
The reputation of the garden tree runner goes something like " tihtih ". The song is shorter and generally stronger and louder than that of the forest tree runner. Typical of the Treecreeper is climbing on tree trunks, in which he supported with the long tail and moves in small jumps upwards. He is particularly frequently observed on deciduous trees such as oak, ash and elm, which have a particularly deep furrowed bark.
Area of distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the garden tree runner is Western and Central Europe, the eastern border lies just east of the eastern border of Poland and the western Black Sea coast. It breeds also in southern Europe, western Asia Minor and North Africa. It is missing in the UK and Ireland as well as in northern Denmark. Also on the Iberian Peninsula it is absent in large parts of the interior.
The Treecreeper preferred, unlike the Treecreeper, deciduous forests, parks and gardens with many fruit trees. It is also found in alleys, copses and orchards.
The Treecreeper overwinters as state bird in Central Europe and is line to short- distance migrants.
Nutrition
With their plumage Treecreeper are ideally adapted to the bark of the trees where they go well camouflaged in search of food. For the foraging of Treecreeper preferred mainly deciduous trees with particularly deep, borkiger bark (eg oak, ash, elm ), which he scans for food. This consists of insects, spiders, beetles and larvae, which he finds at and below the bark. He also feeds on seeds, which can account for a larger proportion of its food, especially in winter.
Unlike the nuthatch of Treecreeper can not run headlong down the tree trunk. He starts at the lower part of the tree and climb with the help of his sharp long claws jerky and spiral the tree trunk. He pokes around with his long, clear curved forceps beak into the bark after all edible.
An artificial winter feeding sites you rarely hits the Treecreeper as a guest. Should he still arrive at a bird feeder, he prefers fat, soft winter feed.
Reproduction
The breeding season extends from March to July. Treecreeper draw large one to two broods per year.
The nest is built of twigs, stalks, moss, animal hair and feathers in tree crevices and behind loose bark. The interior of the cup is lined with feathers, bark fibers and wool. Both parents are involved in the birds nest. The female lays five to seven eggs. These are spindle-shaped with a smooth, dull white shell that very fine rust - brown or speckled or spotted. It breeds only the female, the incubation period is up to 13 to 15 days. After 14 to 15 days the young leave the nest. On the supply of young birds birds both parents are involved. Sexual maturity occurs after one year.