Rufous treecreeper
| Rufous treecreeper | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Climacteridae |
| Genus: | Climacteris |
| Species: | C. rufus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Climacteris rufus Gould, 1841
| |
The rufous treecreeper (Climacteris rufus) is a species of bird in the family Climacteridae. It is endemic to Australia.
Description
The rufous treecreeper measures between 15–17cm[2] from bill to tail and weighs 27-37 grams, with a wingspan of approximately 16-18cm.[3] It is gray with a rufous face and breast and brown back.[4] The male has dark streaks on his breast while the female has pale streaks.
Diet
It forages on the trunks and branches of Eucalyptus trees for insects.[5]
Breeding
They nest in tree hollows, laying a clutch of 1-3 spotted white eggs, measuring 24 x 19 mm. Nests are made from grass, bark, plants, and feathers.[2] They are cooperative breeders, with all able family members helping to feed and raise the young. Breeding typically takes place during the spring.[6]
Distribution and habitat
The rufous treecreeper is found across Southwestern Australia, as far north as Shark Bay, and through to South Australia, as far east as the Eyre Peninsula. The population is heavily concentrated towards the wheatbelt and the south-west corner of WA in and around Perth, becoming more dispersed further east and inland.[7] Open eucalypt forest and woodland are its preferred habitat.[2]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2020). "Climacteris rufus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T22703591A176210338. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22703591A176210338.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Slater, Peter; Slater, Pat; Slater, Raoul (1995). The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds (Revised Edition). Sydney, Australia: Lansdowne. p. 270. ISBN 0-947116-99-0.
- ^ Menkhorst, P.; Rogers, D.; Clarke, R.; Davies, J.; Marsack, P.; Franklin, K. (2019). The Australian Bird Guide (Revised Edition). Victoria: CSIRO Publications. p. 422. ISBN 978-1-4863-1193-4.
- ^ Michael Morcombe, Field Guide to Australian birds, Steve Parish Publishing, 2004
- ^ Rufous-treecreeper | Birdlife Australia
- ^ Gary, Luck (December 2001). "The demography and cooperative breeding behaviour of the rufous treecreeper, Climacteris rufa". Australian Journal of Zoology. 49 (5). CSIRO Publishing. doi:10.1071/ZO00087. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ^ Noske, R.; Sharp, C.J. (2020). "Rufous Treecreeper ( Climacteris rufus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World". Birds of the World. doi:10.2173/bow.ruftre3.01.
External links
