#625 The Brown Creeper

 Fun Fact #625

The Creeping Threshold

Whether it's in a video game, or in real life, generally being called “a Creeper” holds a negative connection, but it was not always this way. For it used to be used to refer to “Brown Creepers” in the Genus Certhia which are native to North America, including all of Illinois where they migrate to in the winter (including Rock Cut state park).

These birds get their name from their odd lifestyles where they tend to climb trees in a spiral pattern and are one of the only birds that can successfully climb a tree backwards (albeit slowly). As they climb they search the bark for spiders, ants, and any other bug they can find. Due to this they prefer old growth forests who are still healthy enough to produce fruit or sap. Interestingly, while their range takes up much of the North America, there are a number of “Vagrants” which decide to fly the 4,050 miles out of the way each year just to invade Europe which is why several European myths hold these little guys as a sign of cold weather, and a weakening between the spirit realm and Reality. This migration tends to happen in the second week of September every year. 

Lastly, if you ever feel like you are being watched in the forest but can't figure out the cause, it may be due to these birds. Brown Creepers are innately curious and will often perch on a tree to watch passersby and odd sights while they rest. They then creep around the tree to keep the majority of their body hidden at all times from the thing they are watching, which is also why these birds tend to be related to legends of “The Hidebehind” which was a cryptid blamed in early American history when loggers (and hikers on occasion today) were never seen again after entering the woods.