Appearance:

Unmistakable, except in areas where it coexists with Short-toed Treecreeper. Differs from said species in pure white flanks (sub-species macrodactyla has faintly buff flanks but not as marked as in Short-toed), shorter and only moderately curved bill, hind-claw as long as hind-toe and "notched" wing-bar (uneven "steps"). Tips of primaries with buffish/white tips/fringes extending along inner web. Mostly distinguished from Short-toed by call, and identification exclusively by plumage characters difficult in areas where both species occur.

Sound:

Contact call a drawn, high-pitched "tzreeee". Similar to Goldcrest in timbre, but of longer duration with a vibrating and slightly rolling tone. Generally repeated in evenly paced, slow series (unlike Goldcrest). Song a short, continuous three-part phrase. Each phrase starts with a few contact call-like notes followed by a Willow Warbler-like descending part, which then jumps to a few descending high notes to form a marked conclusion. Note that "mixed singers" are not uncommon in areas where both species of treecreepers occur.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

Large and rather heavy bunting with yellow bill in all plumages. Head of breeding male brightly tricoloured in black, white and warm, rufous brown. Female similar to male, but much duller coloured, and with black parts speckled. All adults show rufous hind-neck. Juveniles show rufous greater coverts and may be confused with Reed Bunting. Differs from RB in yellow bill, dark spots on chest and cleaner markings on cheeks. Often runs along the ground like a mouse.

Sound:

Song: a short, creaky, brittle phrase, rich in harmonics; "kril-trrlrtt-ti-trlllkrlltrrt". Somewhat reminiscent of Horned Lark, but without its hesitating intro. In form a bit like Snow Bunting, but much less clear tones. Call: A Snow Bunting-like "prrrrit", but tone harder. Also a Snow Bunting-like "pjuu". Other sounds: soft, whistling calls reminiscent of Bullfinch, but with richer harmonics.

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC