Treecreepers in Sweden
When the Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) is present in Sweden, when it nests, and which native Sweden plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Sweden
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–June
- Size
- 12.5 cm, 10 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect treecreepers in Sweden
The Treecreeper lives in Sweden all year round. Long, cold winters with snow; feeders keep tits, Nuthatches and finches going for months.
Temperate in the south, boreal across most of the country and subarctic in the far north.
Nesting in Sweden
In Sweden the Treecreeper usually nests May–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 Sweden plants for treecreepers
Of the native plants we track for Sweden, 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.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
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 Sweden all year?
Yes — the Treecreeper is resident in Sweden all year.
When do treecreepers nest in Sweden?
Typically May–June. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 14–15 days, with 1–2 per year.
Which native plants help treecreepers in Sweden?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Wild cherry, Crab apple are native to Sweden and provide food or cover the Treecreeper uses.
Treecreepers in other countries
Other garden birds in Sweden
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.