Nuthatch Sitta europaea
The Nuthatch (a corruption of its old name nut-hack), also called Eurasian Nuthatch, is native to most of England, Wales and
southern Scotland in the UK. Elsewhere it is native to much of temperate Eurasia from Portugal to Japan and a little of North Africa.
The Nuthatch has a kingfisher shape with long beak and short tail.
It also has a blue (blue-grey rather than turquoise) back and russet front (the western Eurasian adult has a russet front; juveniles and
the Siberian race have a pale whitish front). It has a black eye-stripe from shoulder to beak making the beak look extended and a white chin.
The Nuthatch is usually seen upside down (or the right way up if you're a nuthatch) and usually walks head first down tree trunks.
Nuthatch pairs are rarely seen together; usually one will eat first, followed by the other after.
The rare Double-headed Nuthatch!
The rare Double-headed Nuthatch!
The underside of the tail is mottled russet and white
Depositing (hiding) sunflower kernels
Unusual black neck markings
Collecting more
Like a Jay or Squirrel, the Nuthatch will take several nuts and hide them in various places.
The juvenile Nuthatch has a pale front.
The bandit mask and white chin
The "wrong" way up
The Nuthatch is resident all year round and active in the snow.
Links
more Nuthatches