noun
creeper
A small bird that climbs tree trunks to find food.
A creeper climbs the tree trunk, searching for insects in cracks.
Etymology
Creep names close, gradual movement, and -er identifies the mover. The bird’s name describes its progress along tree bark while searching the surface and crevices for food.
More examples
- The creeper probes a gap in the bark with its thin bill.
- We watch two creepers work their way up neighboring trees.
- A brown creeper blends in with the rough bark.
Forms
creeper · creepers
Similar words
- treecreeper
- Explicitly names the bird, avoiding the other meanings of creeper.