Bird
Wallcreeper
Tichodroma murariaAlso known as Red-winged Wallcreeper
Wallcreepers scale vertical limestone cliffs with uncanny agility, flicking open their broad crimson and black wings in erratic, butterfly-like flutterings. Their long, decurved bills probe deep into rock fissures to pull out spiders and hidden insects. During harsh alpine winters, these striking birds descend from high mountain peaks to forage on lower gorges, old stone bridges, and quarry walls.
AlpineCliff DwellerInsectivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySpiders, Beetles, Moth Larvae
Predators
- Falcons
- Owls
- Mustelids
ThreatsClimate change altering alpine habitats and winter weather extremes
HabitatsAlpine cliffs, rocky gorges, mountain precipices, stone quarries
Life span5–8 years
Classification
- FamilyTichodromidae
- SpeciesTichodroma muraria
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation Strategy: Look for flashes of bright crimson against gray limestone walls.
- Winter Sightings: Scan lower elevation gorges, dam walls, and stone ruins from November to March.
- Equipment: Use a high power spotting scope to inspect distant vertical rock faces.
Alpine Neighbor (c) Paco Gómez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Foraging Relative (c) Frank Vassen, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Foraging Relative (c) Fionn Ó Marcaigh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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