Treecreeper, East Coast Reserve, Ireland (1 Viewer)

[pianoman]

Hi, the enclosed were taken in mid-May, in an area of Willow/Birch/Alder fenland.

Has the shortest bill I have seen on a Treecreeper. In pic 1 you can see the hind claw, but I can't really come to a conclusion. Impression on site was that the bird was smaller and lighter coloured than I am used to. Little devil wouldn't stay still to be photographed...


Any possibility it is Short-toed, or is my imagination running away with me again

Thanks

Andrew

 

[Nutcracker]

Eurasian; a short bill fits this better than Short-toed (which could equally be called 'Long-billed Treecreeper'). Perhaps a recently fledged juvenile to account for the even shorter-than-usual bill?

 

[pianoman]

Eurasian; a short bill fits this better than Short-toed (which could equally be called 'Long-billed Treecreeper'). Perhaps a recently fledged juvenile to account for the even shorter-than-usual bill?

Thanks Nutcracker, and interesting about the short bill.

 

[birdmeister]

Eurasian; a short bill fits this better than Short-toed (which could equally be called 'Long-billed Treecreeper'). Perhaps a recently fledged juvenile to account for the even shorter-than-usual bill?

I am seeing a bit of a yellow gape line in the second photo, so I would agree with this age assessment.

 

[pianoman]

I am seeing a bit of a yellow gape line in the second photo, so I would agree with this age assessment.

Yep juvenile makes sense now. I thought it was adult because it was carrying food in its bill but perhaps it is just a messy eater

 

[johnallcock]

Are you sure they are the same bird? The first seems to have a more obvious supercilium and different wing pattern. Possibly also a longer bill.

Maybe this is an adult coming in to feed a young juvenile. If there was a lot of movement like you say (which could happen at feeding time), maybe you missed that there was more than one bird present.

 

[pianoman]

It's entirely possible that they are different. They move fast, and I was pretty close to a nest site I think. Good call.

Juvie treecreeper - awwww