When you see a bird spiralling daintily upwards, around the trunk of a tree, foraging as it goes, it’s pretty likely that you’re looking at a treecreeper.
I always get a buzz when I watch White-throated Treecreepers. I marvel at the way they forage in such a systematic way, circling each tree from the bottom up. When they’re foraging quickly they are pretty tricky to photograph as they spiral upwards, disappearing from view while on the opposite side of the trunk. They use their slightly decurved bill mainly for catching ants, although they also take other invertebrates and sometimes nectar.
They measure about 15cm (my handspan is 20cm) and weigh about 22g (four teaspoons of sugar).
The plumage of White-throated Treecreepers provides excellent camouflage as they forage. The photograph above shows their large feet which are perfect for their spiral trips up trees but which don’t allow them to climb back down. Instead they fly to the bottom of the next tree they wish to work on.
They are rare visitors to my birdbaths despite often visiting the nearby trees. I photographed this one recently as she clung to a branch that overhangs the shallow pedestal bath. It’s fascinating to see her gripping on in this way, her feet are not designed for more typical ways of perching.
Juvenile females, according to the Australian Bird Guide, have bright rufous rumps with occasional grey patches – which seems to suit the bird above.
The image above show the treecreeper looking far less slimline as she fluffs her feathers in the breeze. I love the way this shot shows the bold streaking on her underparts and the bars on her tail.
Each of these birds is a female as only the females have that neat rufous spot below their ear-coverts.
My apologies to the photographers who like to see the settings each week but I’m pretty exhausted after several days hard work on the property. I need an uncharacteristically early night, thankfully I didn’t forget it’s Friday.
Happy birding, Kim
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What an amazing little bird – and series of photos. Megathanks. And please, please look after yourself.
They are little beauties. I wish I’d been able to do just half an hour more yesterday but most jobs wait for us don’t they, sadly not all of them wait patiently!
What a beautiful little bird. I don’t believe I have ever seen one close up let alone in so much gorgeous detail 💛
I should have mentioned that they can be tricky to see. They are well camouflaged and stay close to the tree trunk. I always feel lucky to see them, hopefully you will soon!