Climacteris picumnus (Brown Treecreeper)

Rare, breeding resident. Eastern sub-species declared Vulnerable in the ACT and NSW.

The Brown Treecreeper, Australia’s largest treecreeper, is a grey-brown bird with black streaking on the lower breast and belly and black bars on the undertail. Pale buff bands across the flight feathers are obvious in flight. The face is pale, with a dark line through the eye, and a dark crown. Sexes differ slightly in all plumages, with small patches of black and white streaking on the centre of the uppermost breast on males, while the females exhibit a rufous and white streaking. Juveniles differ from adults mainly by the pattern of the under-body, and by their a pale bill and gape. Subspecies victoriae is distinguished from subspecies picumnus by colour differences on the face, body and tail markings. The two subspecies grade into each other through central NSW. Individuals are active, noisy and conspicuous, and give a loud ‘pink’ call, often repeated in contact, and sometimes given in a series of 5 - 10 descending notes. Breeds from July to Feb across its range.

Likes eucalypt woodlands (particularly Box-Gum Woodland) and dry open forest.

Threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation

Forages on trunks and branches of trees and amongst fallen timber; Ants comprise 80% of their diet.

Nests in hollows in standing dead or live trees