Nuthtach
The Nuthatches are a family of similar looking birds with short tails and wings, compact bodies, longish pointed bills, grey or bluish upperparts, a black eyestripe and strong feet. There are more than 20 subspecies in 3 main groups. The Eurasian Nuthatch is found throughout temperate Asia and in Europe where it is known simply as the Nuthatch.
The adult male Nuthatch is 5.5 inches long. It has blue-grey upperparts, a black eye-stripe and whitish throat and underparts. The flanks and lower belly are orange-red and mottled with white on the undertail. The stout bill is dark grey with a paler area on the base of the lower mandible, the iris is dark brown and the legs and feet are pale brown or greyish. The female is similar in appearance to the male but may be identified by her slightly paler upperparts, a browner eyestripe and a more washed out tone to the flanks and lower belly. Young birds resemble the female although their plumage is duller and they have paler legs.
The Nuthatch's breeding range extends across temperate Eurasia from the UK (but not Ireland) to Japan. It breeds south to the Mediterranean in Europe (although it is absent from the islands other than Sicily) and in most of Russia. In the east, the range includes most of China and Taiwan and much of Korea. Most populations are sedentary, apart from some post-breeding dispersal of young birds, and there is a reluctance to cross even short stretches of open water.
The Nuthatch can be found in mature woodland with large, old trees which provide extensive growth for foraging and nesting holes. In Europe, deciduous or mixed forest is favoured, particularly when containing oak. Parks, old orchards and other wooded habitats may be occupied as long as they have at least a 2.5 acre block of suitable trees. Particularly in mountains, the Nuthatch can be found in old spruce and pine forests. The Nuthatch is primarily a lowland bird in the north of its range but reaches the tree-line in Switzerland at 3,900 feet or higher and it breeds occasionally at 5,900 to 6,900 feet in Austria. It breeds at similar levels in the mountains of Turkey, the Middle East, central Asia and Japan.
The Nuthatch is common throughout much of its range although densities are lower in the far north and in coniferous forests. Fragmentation of woodland can lead to local losses of breeding birds but the range is still expanding. In recent decades, the Nuthatch has colonised Scotland and expanded its range in Wales and northern England. Across most of its European range, the most important predator of the Nuthatch is the Sparrowhawk. Other species known to prey on the Nuthatch include the Goshawk, Hobby and Tawny Owl.
Pairs of Nuthatches hold permanent territories and nest in tree holes, usually old woodpecker nests but sometimes natural cavities. The nest site is typically 5 to 65 feet above the ground. If the entrance to the hole is too large, the female plasters it with mud to reduce its size and often coats the inside of the cavity too. The 6 to 9 red-speckled white eggs are laid on a deep base of pine or other wood chips. The female incubates the eggs for 13 to 18 days to hatching and broods the chicks until they fledge 20 to 26 days later. Both adults feed the chicks in the nest and continue to do so after they fledge until they become independent after about 8 to 14 days. Normally only a single brood is raised each year.
The Nuthatch eats mainly insects, particularly caterpillars and beetles, although in autumn and winter its diet is supplemented with nuts and seeds. Food items are found mainly on tree trunks and large branches but smaller branches may also be investigated. Food may also be taken from the ground especially outside the breeding season. The Nuthatch can forage when descending trees head first as well as when climbing upwards. The Nuthatch readily visits bird tables and will eat fatty man-made food items as well as seeds. It is a hoarder and will store food all year round.
Date: 8th May 2017
Location: Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
The adult male Nuthatch is 5.5 inches long. It has blue-grey upperparts, a black eye-stripe and whitish throat and underparts. The flanks and lower belly are orange-red and mottled with white on the undertail. The stout bill is dark grey with a paler area on the base of the lower mandible, the iris is dark brown and the legs and feet are pale brown or greyish. The female is similar in appearance to the male but may be identified by her slightly paler upperparts, a browner eyestripe and a more washed out tone to the flanks and lower belly. Young birds resemble the female although their plumage is duller and they have paler legs.
The Nuthatch's breeding range extends across temperate Eurasia from the UK (but not Ireland) to Japan. It breeds south to the Mediterranean in Europe (although it is absent from the islands other than Sicily) and in most of Russia. In the east, the range includes most of China and Taiwan and much of Korea. Most populations are sedentary, apart from some post-breeding dispersal of young birds, and there is a reluctance to cross even short stretches of open water.
The Nuthatch can be found in mature woodland with large, old trees which provide extensive growth for foraging and nesting holes. In Europe, deciduous or mixed forest is favoured, particularly when containing oak. Parks, old orchards and other wooded habitats may be occupied as long as they have at least a 2.5 acre block of suitable trees. Particularly in mountains, the Nuthatch can be found in old spruce and pine forests. The Nuthatch is primarily a lowland bird in the north of its range but reaches the tree-line in Switzerland at 3,900 feet or higher and it breeds occasionally at 5,900 to 6,900 feet in Austria. It breeds at similar levels in the mountains of Turkey, the Middle East, central Asia and Japan.
The Nuthatch is common throughout much of its range although densities are lower in the far north and in coniferous forests. Fragmentation of woodland can lead to local losses of breeding birds but the range is still expanding. In recent decades, the Nuthatch has colonised Scotland and expanded its range in Wales and northern England. Across most of its European range, the most important predator of the Nuthatch is the Sparrowhawk. Other species known to prey on the Nuthatch include the Goshawk, Hobby and Tawny Owl.
Pairs of Nuthatches hold permanent territories and nest in tree holes, usually old woodpecker nests but sometimes natural cavities. The nest site is typically 5 to 65 feet above the ground. If the entrance to the hole is too large, the female plasters it with mud to reduce its size and often coats the inside of the cavity too. The 6 to 9 red-speckled white eggs are laid on a deep base of pine or other wood chips. The female incubates the eggs for 13 to 18 days to hatching and broods the chicks until they fledge 20 to 26 days later. Both adults feed the chicks in the nest and continue to do so after they fledge until they become independent after about 8 to 14 days. Normally only a single brood is raised each year.
The Nuthatch eats mainly insects, particularly caterpillars and beetles, although in autumn and winter its diet is supplemented with nuts and seeds. Food items are found mainly on tree trunks and large branches but smaller branches may also be investigated. Food may also be taken from the ground especially outside the breeding season. The Nuthatch can forage when descending trees head first as well as when climbing upwards. The Nuthatch readily visits bird tables and will eat fatty man-made food items as well as seeds. It is a hoarder and will store food all year round.
Date: 8th May 2017
Location: Gilfach RWT reserve, Powys
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