The Eurasian nuthatch is a small bird with an elongated head, rounded wings, and a short, square tail. It is usually found in trees, where it moves in short, hopping motions without using its tail for support.
Since the 1970s, the UK nuthatch population has increased by more than 250%, accompanied by an expansion of its breeding range further north into Scotland. The reasons for this growth are unclear, but it is likely due to fewer nest failures, larger broods, and a higher number of chicks successfully reared each season. These factors may be influenced by milder winters and increased food availability in gardens.
Breeding birds: 220,000 territories
Family: Nuthatches
The adult male nuthatch has blue-grey upperparts with darker flight feathers. Its underparts are buff-white, with rufous flanks and vent. The undertail coverts are mottled rufous with a distinctive white patch, while the underwings are grey with black primary coverts.
Its head has a blue-grey crown and forehead, along with a conspicuous black eye-stripe that starts at the upper base of the bill and extends to the back of the nape. The cheeks and chin are white, and the sides of the neck are buff-white. The stout bill is dark grey, with a pale blue base on the lower mandible. The eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet vary in colour, ranging from brown and yellow to dark grey.
The female closely resembles the male but is duller overall, with paler underparts and a brown eye-stripe. Juveniles look similar to females but are even paler.
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Nuthatches begin breeding in April or May, typically raising one brood per season, though occasionally they may have two. They are monogamous, mating for life, and a pair will defend the same territory year-round.
During courtship, the male displays the brighter colours of his flanks, fluffs up his plumage, and spreads his wings. He also fans his tail to reveal the mottled patch beneath.
They build their nests in tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker nests. If the entrance is too large, they narrow it with mud, and plaster the walls for added protection against harsh weather. The interior is lined with wood chips and bark, sometimes with softer materials like leaves and moss. The female constructs the nest alone, and it may be reused for several years.
Nuthatches lay 5–9 white eggs speckled with reddish markings. The female incubates them alone for 13–18 days. Once hatched, both parents feed the chicks, which fledge at 19–29 days. They become independent about two weeks later and reach sexual maturity at one year.
The nuthatch primarily feeds on insects, especially caterpillars and beetles. In autumn and winter, it supplements its diet with nuts and seeds, favouring hazelnuts, acorns, and beech mast. It may also consume sap and flower buds on occasion.
It typically forages on tree trunks and branches but sometimes catches insects in midair. It may also search for food on the ground and frequently visits bird feeders in winter, eating nuts, seeds, and kitchen scraps such as cheese, fats, and bread.
In autumn, nuthatches store plant-based food by hiding it in bark crevices, wall cracks, and on the ground, retrieving it during colder months. They may also cache non-plant items, such as grubs, larvae and pieces of bread.
Nuthatches can be found in woods and parklands throughout England and Wales. They are occasionally spotted in southern Scotland. Nuthatches will also come into gardens in search of food.
The nuthatch is the only tree climbing bird in the UK that can move downwards head-first as well as upwards.
