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Brown Creeper

(Certhia americana)

Photo temporarily not available

Size             : 5 - 5.75 inches long (13 - 14 cm)
Description      : Male   - Slender, brown and black streaked bird, usually seen creeping up a tree.
                            Has curved, longish bill.

                   Female - Same as male

Preferred Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodlands, swamps

Preferred food   : They eat tiny insects, spider eggs and larvae they find in tree crevices.
                   At the feeder they like chopped peanuts, suet, and peanut butter. Spreading the 
                   peanut butter on the bark of a tree is one way to provide it for them.

Breeding Range   : Breeds from Alaska, through Ontario, to Newfoundland, through New jersey, Georgia, 
                   and south to Nicaragua.
  
Winter Range     : South central Canada, through midwestern U.S., to the Gulf coast and Florida

Interesting Facts:- Unlike the nuthatch, this bird can only creep up a tree, then it flies down
                    to the base of another tree and starts all over again.
                  - Inconspicuous bird - matches tree bark and is hard to spot
                  - Seen most likely in the winter, when they feed with chickadees and nuthatches
                  - Build loose nests under flaking strips of bark, low on the tree
                  - Male collects the matewrials, and the female builds the nest, which may take 
                    up to a month to complete 
                  - Clutch size: usually 5 - 6; incubation period: 11 - 15 days; 
                    nestling period: 13 - 15 days; broods per season: 1 - 2;