Nuthatch, 20230404, 06 f

Nuthatch,

 

A Imost all the Nuthatch's life is spent clinging to the branches of tall trees, although it does forage on rocks, walls, and old buildings and quite often visits the ground, It also comes to bird feeders in gardens near woods, But it is principally as expert, agile climbers that Nuthatches have evolved, equally at home coming head-down as as climbing head-up or perched across a branch, They use the strebgh of their feet and sharpness of their claws exclusively, not using their tails as props as do woodpeckers and treecreepers,

 

Voice ;- Various loud, full, liquid whistles, pew pew pew, chwee chwee and fast ringing trill, loud chwit,

Nesting ;- Uses old woogpecker hole or nest box, lined with bark and leaves, typically plastering mud around entrance, 6-9 eggs, 1 brood, April - July,

Feeding ;- Eats variety of seeds, berries, nuts, acorns, and beech-mast, often carried to be wedged in bark for easier manipulation, visits pranut baskets,

 

Occurrence ;- Breeds in most of Europe, except Iceland, N UK, Scandinavia, and S Spain, Occupies mixed and deciduous woodland, parkland, and large gardens with big old trees all year round, rarely moving far,

Order ;- Passeriformes,

Family ;- Sittidae,

Species ;- Sitta europaea,

Length ;- 12.5cm (5in),

Wingspwn ;- 16-18cm (6.5-7in),

Social ;- Loose flocks,

Lifespan ;- 3-3 years,

Status ;- Secure,

Done