The Treecreeper is a small bird, which obtain its food from crevices in the bark of trees. It climbs trees aided by its stiff tail feathers and large, curved nails, working out from the base upwards, then flying to the next tree. Its bill is thin and curved, and it can often be seen probing on cracks on tree trunks and branches. Its upper parts are beautifully camouflaged, with an intricate pattern of browns, blacks and greys, and its underparts are white. During the winter, they might join roving mixed flocks of tits. They favoured habitat is woodland of parkland with mature trees. They are often located by their calls, a thin, high pitched repeated whistle. The song is quite distinctive too.
Treecreepers are scarce and local birds in Hull. They are resident birds and have bred, or at least attempted breeding in parks, cemeteries and other areas with large, mature or decaying trees, where they might be seen year round. Although they also appear to leave sites after long-term residence, such as Pearson Park and East Park (top shot, 23/02/2018). Notable sites include Pickering Park (successful breeding), General Cemetery, and Oak Road Lake (successful breeding). There are also scattered records from other sites.
When startled, Treecreepers often freeze, becoming almost invisible with their match to the pattern of tree bark. Pearson Park, 20/02/2020. They are also experts at hide and seek, often moving to the opposite side of the trunk in the presence of an observer!
Treecreeper pulling spider web, probably as nest material. Pearson Park, 4 March 2021
Treecreeper at the General Cemetery, 20 March 2021.
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