Order: Passeriformes
Family: Certhiidae
Genus: Certhia
Species: americanaLa. passer sparrow, small bird
La. forma form, kind, species
Gr. kerthios small, tree dwelling
bird
La certhius a creeper
La. americana for the American
Continent
About five inches long. Camouflaged with irregular brown and ashy white stripes,
the wings being somewhat barred. Long brown rigid (like a woodpecker's) tail. Buff white
underside. Long, thin bill with a pronounced downward curve. |
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| The Brown Creeper is found in coniferous and
mixed forests and wooded towns in North America from Appalachia, New England and the Great
Lakes regions north into the Canadian Provinces and from southwest U.S. to Northern
British Columbia, Alberta and southern Alaska. Winters throughout most of the U.S. and
southern Canada.
Builds nests by cramming twigs, fine bark strips, feathers, moss and
spider cocoons behind the loose bark of dead tree trunks or stumps, and in natural or
abandoned tree cavities being somewhat particular to balsam firs. Also attracted to rustic
and bark covered bird houses.
Lays four to eight creamy-white speckled eggs which hatch after about two weeks
incubation and offspring leave the nest in about another two weeks. |
| Active birds, usually seen creeping
(Latin: certhius, a creeper) up tree trunks foraging in bark crevices for beetles,
larvae and insect eggs. Also eats pine cone seeds.
The Brown Creeper nest box has a 4" by 4"
floor, 8" inside ceiling, 1 3/8" diameter entrance hole located 6" above
the floor and ventilation openings.
Assembled with corrosion resistant screws fit to pre-drilled
countersunk pilot holes. Hinged roof is secured with a brass hook for easy access. |
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| Mount on tree or post in a secluded area
in the woods between four and ten feet high with partial sun and shade. Remove the nest
after the brood rearing seasons are over.
Resources |
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