Brown Creepers in a Flock?

[Bill]

Hi,

I was camping up at Cultus Lake with the Grade 7 class from the school that I teach at this week. (Yes, this week in the pouring rain !!) While I was there I saw a flock of small birds (7 or more) flitting around the trees. They flew in low and climbed up the tree like a creeper. I thought they seemed smaller than a creeper and did not have the curved bill. Also, I thought Brown Creepers froze when they were spotted but these birds did not care I was there. I had one almost land on my shoe. Their colouring looked like Brown Creepers. Are young Brown Creepers very active and do they fly around in flocks?

(I do not have a good picture of them .)


Bill

[Gord]

Bill, sounds like creepers. They dont really flock closely but usually you'll find two or three close by each other. If they acted like tiny woodpeckers sticking the the trunk and main branches, that is what they should be. Other little birds would spend some time on the leaves and smaller branches. Ive also had creepers moving actively even when standing near them so they dont always freeze. If they're young, and sounds like you had a family there, the young ones might be a little more bold thus the checking out your shoe episode.

Great experience! Please share the pictures!!

[Bill]

Here are some nicely focused leaves . The Brown Creeper is the fuzzy blob in the background.

Bill

[Gord]

Cute little guys! Ive never seen a family of them. Found a nest earlier this year as it was being built behind loose bark but seems they abandoned it. Was hoping to observe nesting!