Art by Jackie Blurton
Nature Note by Dr. Roland Shook
There are several species of birds adapted to feed on the trunk or limbs of larger trees. The most familiar are woodpeckers, but nuthatches and creepers are also included in this group.
The Brown Creeper is an inconspicuous species that is often overlooked except by careful birders. Its small size, brownish coloration above, white breast below, very high-pitched vocalization, and its ability to blend with its background while sitting motionless, all make it difficult to detect. It is present in our area at lower elevations only in some winters, preferring coniferous forests at higher elevations to nest and raise a family.
Creepers have the characteristic behavior of flying to the base of a large tree then, with its tail braced against the trunk, it spirals up the trunk searching for insects in bark crevices. Once it has gained elevation on the tree, it flies to the base of another large tree only to begin the process all over again. This foraging behavior contrasts with the White-breasted Nuthatch which descends a tree trunk headfirst in search of insects.
