Page 355 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

NUTHATCHES,WALLCREEPER,AND TREECREEPERS
Order Passeriformes Family Tichodromadidae Species Tichodroma muraria
Wallcreeper
long, slim,
downcurved
bill
large white spots
on wings
mid-grey head black face and
and body
throat (white in
winter)
MALE (SUMMER)
short tail
IN FLIGHT blackish wings
rows of white with bright
spots on outer red patches
wings

small black bib
(lost in winter)

FEMALE
(SUMMER)

unique and stunning small bird of mountains and gorges,
Athe Wallcreeper is often high up around the snow line
in summer, but comes low down or visits large, old buildings
in winter. It is elusive, partly through being so small in such
vast landscapes,but once located may be quite tame and approachable, MALE
giving remarkable views. It is tied to a life on rock faces, cliff ledges, (SUMMER)
and damp, shady places under overhangs: as much dependent on rocks
as the Treecreeper is on trees.
VOICE Long, rising and falling series of thin, whistled notes.
NESTING Untidy nest in hole in cliff or deep in crevice between
tumbled rocks; 4 eggs;1 brood; May–July.
FEEDING Searches rocks, especially wet spots and earthy ledges, FLIGHT: hesitant, fluttery, but quite strong, undu-
and also buildings for insects and spiders, probing with its bill and lating over long distances; remarkable bounding when
fluttering constantly. feeding; moves butterfly-like over short distances.

OCCURRENCE
Mostly rare and local; breeds in
Pyrenees, Alps, and Balkans,
typically up close to snow line.
Little more widespread in S Europe
in winter, coming to lower altitudes.
On rocks, cliff faces, in gorges and
quarries, but only rarely moving
far from breeding range.
EXCELLENT CAMOUFLAGE
Seen in the UK
The red of the Wallcreeper’s wing is not very obvious at long range: it
JF M A M J JA S ON D
often looks dark grey and is easily lost against a rocky background.
Length 15–17cm (6–6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 30–35cm (12–14in) Weight 25g ( 7 ⁄8oz)
Social Family groups Lifespan 3–5 years Status Secure†
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