2020

The nuthatch is a plump bird about the size of a great tit that resembles a small woodpecker. It is blue-grey above and whitish below, with chestnut on its sides and under its tail. It has a black stripe on its head, a long black pointed bill and short legs.

They are somewhat woodpecker-like, but more agile, perching up on their feet with bodies and tails held well clear. They can descend head-first and hang upside down beneath twigs and branches

It breeds throughout England and Wales and has recently began to breed in southern Scotland. It is a resident, with birds seldom travelling far from the woods where they hatch.

Look out for nuthatches scuttling up and down trees. They will often descend trunks head first when searching for food. Listen out for its ‘dwip dwip’ call. Nuthatches will often visit bird feeders in gardens that are close to suitable habitat.

Nuthatches will sometimes plaster mud around the entrance of their nesting hole. This makes it smaller and less accessible to competitors and predators

The UK’s nuthatch population is doing well, growing by an estimated 250% since the 1970s. However, as a woodland specialist, the felling of woods and trees threatens to reduce the species’ habitat.

2021