Treecreepers in Germany
When the Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) is present in Germany, when it nests, and which native Germany plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Germany
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–June
- Size
- 12.5 cm, 10 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect treecreepers in Germany
The Treecreeper lives in Germany all year round. Colder in the east and south; feeders are widely used and garden-bird counts are a national tradition.
Temperate, becoming more continental towards the east and south, with Alpine climate in Bavaria.
Nesting in Germany
In Germany the Treecreeper usually nests April–June. Nest site: behind loose bark or ivy. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days; chicks fledge after 15–16 days, and pairs raise 1–2 per year.
- The Treecreeper does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Germany plants for treecreepers
Of the native plants we track for Germany, these 8 provide food the Treecreeper uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Feeding in the garden
Tiny insects from bark.
- Best foods: Suet smeared into bark.
- Feeders: Suet cage.
- Rarely at feeders — rub fat into rough bark.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are treecreepers in Germany all year?
Yes — the Treecreeper is resident in Germany all year.
When do treecreepers nest in Germany?
Typically April–June. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help treecreepers in Germany?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Common knapweed, Wild cherry are native to Germany and provide food or cover the Treecreeper uses.
Treecreepers in other countries
Other garden birds in Germany
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.