Passeriformes / Tichodromidae / Tichodroma
Wallcreeper
Tichodroma muraria · 红翅旋壁雀
Introduction
A small passerine bird and the only extant member of the genus Tichodroma and family Tichodromidae. Found throughout the high mountains of the Palearctic from southern Europe to central China. Closely related to nuthatches. Largely resident but moves to lower elevations in winter.
Description
Length 15.5–17 cm (6.1–6.7 in); weight 17–19 g (0.60–0.67 oz). Plumage is primarily blue-grey with darker flight and tail feathers. Most striking feature is crimson wings with white spots, largely hidden when folded, covering most covert feathers and the basal half of primaries and secondaries. Tail is short, black with a narrow white fringe. In summer, males have a black throat; females have a white throat or small dark patch. In autumn and winter, both sexes have a white throat. Juveniles resemble winter plumage. Subspecies T. m. nepalensis is slightly darker than the nominate race.
Identification
Extraordinary crimson wings with white spots are visible in flight. Short tail with narrow white fringe. Moves across cliff faces in short flights and quick hops, often with wings partially spread. Song is a high-pitched, drawn-out whistle with notes that alternately rise and fall.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds at elevations of 1,000–3,000 m in Europe, 2,800–4,000 m in the Tien Shan, and 3,600–5,100 m in the Himalaya. Range extends from southern and eastern Europe to the Caucasus, western Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, eastern Iran, and eastern China. Resident across much of the Himalayas (India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet) and a winter visitor in Bangladesh. Moves to lower elevations in winter, occasionally appearing on buildings, quarries, cathedrals, and viaducts as far west as England and the Netherlands.
Behavior & Ecology
Insectivore feeding on terrestrial invertebrates, primarily insects and spiders, gleaned from rock faces. Sometimes chases flying insects in short sallies. Territorial in summer; solitary in winter with individuals defending feeding territories. Female builds a cup nest of grass and moss lined with feathers or wool in rock crevices, holes, or caves, typically with two entrances. Lays 4–5 white eggs marked with black or reddish-brown speckles. Female incubates for 19–20 days while fed by the mate. Both parents feed altricial nestlings for 28–30 days until fledging. One brood per year.
Culture
The genus name Tichodroma comes from Ancient Greek teikhos (wall) and dromos (runner). The specific name muraria is Medieval Latin for 'of walls'. Alternatively known as the red-winged wall creeper.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tichodromidae
- Genus
- Tichodroma
Subspecies (2)
-
Tichodroma muraria muraria
Europe and southwestern Asia to northern and western Iran
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
