There are 9 species of birds in the Certhiidae family. These small, slender birds are about 3.5-7.5 inches (8.9-19.1 cm) long. They live in forests and woodlands across North America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Most treecreepers have brown, streaked upperparts that help them blend in with tree bark and white or pale undersides.

Treecreepers have long, thin, curved bills that they use to probe beneath tree bark for insects and spiders. Like woodpeckers, they cling to the trunks of trees while searching for food. Their long, stiff tail feathers act as a brace, helping them stay upright as they climb.

The Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) is the only treecreeper species found in North America. Its range extends from Alaska and Canada south through the United States, Mexico, and Central America to Nicaragua.

The Brown Creeper lives in coniferous, mixed, and mature deciduous forests. It is 5-6 inches (12.7-15.2 cm) long and has brown, streaked upperparts, white underparts, a white stripe above each eye, a long, curved bill, and small but strong feet for gripping bark.

The Brown Creeper climbs up tree trunks in a spiral pattern, probing the bark for insects, spiders, and their eggs. When it reaches the top of a tree, it flies down to the base of another tree and begins climbing upward in a spiral again. This unique feeding behavior helps it search every part of the trunk for food.