White-browed Treecreeper
Climacteris affinis
Small bird with rather massive feet and pale eyebrow, most often seen running up and down the sides of trees in arid and semi-arid woodlands, especially old-growth mulga forest (unlikely to be found in eucalypts along rivers). Predominantly grayish brown with bold pale streaking on dark belly. In flight, note bold tan wingbars. Compare larger, darker Brown Treecreeper, which has less obvious streaking behind the ear and on belly and tends to spend more time on the ground. Call is a repetitive, insect-like piping.
Identification
The white-browed treecreeper (Climacteris affinis) is the smallest of the Australo-papuan treecreepers and sole family member adapted to arid environments. The species foraging strategy involves climbing the trunks of trees in search of invertebrate prey on and under bark. Although some populations within the species range have declined, the species IUCN conservation status is of Least Concern.
Taxonomy
The white-browed treecreeper (Climacteris affinis) is one of 7 species of Australo-Papuan endemic treecreepers (Family: Climacteridae). Prior to the development of molecular diagnostic techniques, the relationship of Climacteridae to other avian families was long debated. Phylogenetic analysis has since revealed the family to be most closely related to bowerbirds and catbirds (Family: Ptilonorhynchidae). Together these two families are thought to represent one of the most ancient lineages of ‘songbirds’ (oscines, suborder Passeri), diverging early during the rise and radiation of oscines in Australia. The further split between Climacteridae and Ptilonorhynchidae is estimated to have occurred 58.7-35.2 million years ago.<p>Within Climacteridae, two genera are recognised Climacteris and Cormobates. Molecular analysis estimates the divergence between genera to have occurred during the Eocene-early-Miocene period. This estimate is further supported by the recovery of fossils referred to both genera within early Miocene deposits in Queensland, Australia. These ancient fossils all exhibit morphological features associated with scansorial (tree-trunk climbing), the primary mode of locomotion used during foraging by all extant species. The presence of these features suggest this foraging strategy to have evolved early within the family's evolutionary history.<p>The genus name ‘Climacteris’ is derived from the Greek term meaning ‘the rung of a ladder’, and refers to the groups tree-trunk climbing habits. The species name ‘affinis’, Latin for 'allied', refers to the species resemblance to the red-browed treecreeper (Climacteris erythrops).<p>Two subspecies are recognised:
- Scientific name
- Climacteris affinis
- Authority
- Blyth, 1863
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Climacteridae
- Genus
- Climacteris
Range and habitat
White-browed treecreepers inhabit arid and semi-arid regions across southern Australia, excluding Tasmania. The two subspecies ranges do not overlap, C. a. affinis found east of the Spencer Gulf and C. a. superciliosus to the west. White-browed Treecreepers inhabit a range of woodland and shrubland communities, dominated by either Acacia, Casuarina or Callitris species, with both dense and open understory's.<p>White-browed treecreepers are sedentary, pairs or groups actively defending relatively large territories (averaging 8.4 hectares in some regions) throughout the year.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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