Near our house this morning was a Brown Creeper. We think this little bird takes the art of camouflage to a new level. Even when you're looking directly at it, it's hard to miss, it so perfectly blends in with its tree trunk environment. Brown Creepers have a curious way of moving. They creep by hitching their way up a tree trunk, using their tail as a prop. Then they fly down to the base of the next tree trunk, and hitch up again. They feed by probing under bark for insects and larvae with their long, downcurved bill. On rare occassions, we've had them come to our suet feeders. One of the ways we know they're around is by their high-pitched, "tsee" call. We always feel its a treat to spot them, such an inconspicuous little bird, but very interesting.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Brown Creeper
Near our house this morning was a Brown Creeper. We think this little bird takes the art of camouflage to a new level. Even when you're looking directly at it, it's hard to miss, it so perfectly blends in with its tree trunk environment. Brown Creepers have a curious way of moving. They creep by hitching their way up a tree trunk, using their tail as a prop. Then they fly down to the base of the next tree trunk, and hitch up again. They feed by probing under bark for insects and larvae with their long, downcurved bill. On rare occassions, we've had them come to our suet feeders. One of the ways we know they're around is by their high-pitched, "tsee" call. We always feel its a treat to spot them, such an inconspicuous little bird, but very interesting.
3 comments:
Last year we had a regular Brown Creeper feeding on the suet in a bark sandwich on a tree. Looking forward to another creeper this winter.
Last winter, I smeared suet on 2 trees in my yard and the Brown Creepers were frequent visitors all winter. I had as many as 3 creepers at once.
That's a great idea about smearing suet on the tree, since creepers probe bark to feed. It imitates their natural feeding habit.
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