nuthatch bird
1. Bird Name
The Nuthatch bird, scientifically known as Sitta europaea.
2. Appearance
Nuthatches are small but robust birds with strong legs and sharp beaks. They are typically colored in grey-blue on their upper bodies, while their underparts are more of a peachy tone. They have a striking black stripe that runs through the eyes along the sides of their heads. The beak is long, sharp, and slightly upturned, perfect for prying into crevices and peeling off bark to find food. Their eyes are a keen, bright black. While the males and females largely look alike, the male’s colors are typically more vibrant.
3. Size
Nuthatches usually measure around 14 cm in length and have a wingspan of about 22 to 27 cm. A fully grown Nuthatch tends to weigh between 20 to 28 grams.
4. Habitat & Distribution
Preferably found in old woods and forests with a mix of deciduous trees, the Nuthatch is a common sight throughout Europe and Asia. They have a particular fondness for oak trees. Unlike other birds, Nuthatches are sedentary and tend to maintain their residency within a relatively small area.
5. Interesting Facts
Curiously, the Nuthatch bird has a habit of plastering mud around the entrance to its nesting hole to restrict access to predators. Secondly, they are known for their characteristic upside-down feeding style, often seen walking down tree trunks head first. Lastly, their name, ‘nuthatch’, has been derived from their habit of jamming nuts and acorns into tree bark and then hacking at them with their sharp beak to ‘hatch’ out the seed from within.
6. Diet
This bird species predominantly feeds on insects, especially caterpillars during the breeding season, but supplements their diet with seeds and nuts during colder months. It has also been observed that they often hoard food in crevices and under the bark of trees during winter.
7. Behavior & Sounds
Nuthatches are solitary birds, except during the mating season, when they remain in pairs. Their nests are generally found in tree holes or crevices. Nuthatches are known for their song, a simple repetitive “peep-peep-peep” which is a common sound in their woodland habitats. Their alarm call is a sharp, loud ‘twit’.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, Nuthatches are of ‘Least Concern’, due to their wide distribution range and large global population. However, they are affected in areas where old forests are cut down, as it removes their preferred nesting sites.
9. Lifespan
In the wild, Nuthatches typically live for about 2 years, although some individuals have been recorded to live up to 12 years.
10. Additional Notes
In many European languages, their names often reference their distinctive upside-down feeding style. For example, in French, they’re called “sittelle torchepot,” which translates as “the pot-scrubber,” referencing the bird’s scrubbing or ‘hatching’ movement. This fantastic creature interacts minimally with humans. However, they do offer a benefit to us by helping to control insect populations. Their relentless foraging behavior also aids in the health of the forests they inhabit by promoting decomposition and aiding nutrient cycling.
