Wallcreeper

The Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria, is a diminutive passerine bird, the sole extant representative of the genus Tichodroma and the family Tichodromidae. It is adorned with a blue-grey plumage, but its most captivating feature is the crimson wings, a vibrant display largely concealed when at rest.

Identification Tips

This bird measures approximately 15.5–17 centimeters in length and weighs between 17–19 grams. The Wallcreeper's wings, when unfurled, reveal a stunning crimson that dominates the covert feathers and the basal halves of the primaries and secondaries. The subspecies T. m. nepalensis is noted for being slightly darker than the nominate race.

Habitat

The Wallcreeper is a denizen of high mountainous regions, favoring rocky outcrops and cliffs. It is known to breed at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters.

Distribution

The species is widespread across the high mountains of the Palearctic, from southern Europe to central China. It is largely sedentary, but some populations move to lower altitudes during winter months.

Behaviour

This species exhibits a remarkable tameness, yet it can be elusive, often blending seamlessly with the mountainous terrain it inhabits. Wallcreepers are territorial; pairs defend their breeding territory in summer, while individuals maintain separate feeding territories in winter.

Song & Calls

The Wallcreeper's vocalizations consist of a high-pitched, protracted whistle, with notes that fluctuate in pitch. Both sexes sing, with females typically vocalizing in defense of their winter feeding territories.

Breeding

Nests are constructed by the female, hidden within rock crevices or caves, and lined with soft materials such as feathers. Clutches usually contain 4–5 eggs, which are incubated for 19–20 days. Both parents tend to the altricial young until they fledge after 28–30 days.

Diet and Feeding

An insectivorous bird, the Wallcreeper feeds on invertebrates gleaned from rock faces, occasionally pursuing flying insects from a perch.

Conservation status

The Wallcreeper is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant immediate threats to its survival.