Distribution Map
Black-tailed Treecreeper
Climacteris melanurus
EndemicStatus
UncommonRarity
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Species Description
The Black-tailed Treecreeper is a specialised bird found only in northern and northwestern Australia. It is uniquely adapted for life on tree trunks in dry forests and savannas, where it uses its strong feet to move nimbly up and down bark in search of insects. As the only treecreeper species across much of its range, it is easy to identify in the field`.`
Fun Facts
It is the only treecreeper species present across most of Northern Australia.
1. Dark brown to almost black plumage with a black tail
2. Males have a black throat; females have a white throat
3. Pale tan wingbars visible in flight
These birds feed mainly on ants, beetles, and other insects found in bark crevices, but will also eat moths, grasshoppers, and sometimes nectar. They nest in tree hollows. Breeding occurs during the dry season, typically from June to September. Females lay 2–3 eggs, and both parents, sometimes with the help of other group members, share incubation and care of the young, as they are cooperative breeders.
Black-tailed Treecreepers are found in dry forests, woodlands, and moist lowland forests across northern Australia, including parts of the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia. They are most often seen climbing tree trunks and large branches, moving with quick, spiraling or jerky motions as they search for food. Their call is a slow, repeated "pip pip pip" followed by a rapid trill, often heard before the bird is seen.
Physical Attributes
Height
17 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds29%
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