The Nature Library

HomeVolumesBird HomesNests in Holes in Trees, Stumps, or Logs

Brown Creeper — Part 2

Adult--Upper parts brownish gray, white, and buff, somewhat barred; under parts white; tail stiff, and sharp at the points; bill very pointed and with a slight downward curve. Length--5.66.

Breeding Range--The northern United States, northward.

The nest is usually placed inside the loose bark of a tree or stump--sometimes within the rift of a tree that has been struck by lightning--and is composed of felted material, soft feathers, moss, twigs, spider cocoons, etc. 5 to 8 eggs are laid; they are creamy white, spotted with reddish brown chiefly at the larger end. Size--.59 x .47.

Ever busy with his endless task of climbing tree after tree in his search for the necessaries of life, the Brown Creeper lives up to his name; he methodically creeps up a tree till he arrives at the place where the bark is smooth, then he drops either to another branch or to the foot of the next tree, and there he goes through just the same performance again; this continues, as far as one can judge, from early morning till nearly dark. During the breeding season, which begins about the middle of May, this bird has a pleasing, though short, song.