Bird 🐦
🐦
Sitta europaea
| Size | 14 cm About the size of a Great Tit |
|---|---|
| Weight | 20–25 g About the weight of a large strawberry |
| Lifespan | 2 years |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Males have a richer buff-orange wash on the flanks; females are slightly paler below — otherwise identical |
| Habitat | Mature deciduous woodland, parks, large gardens with old trees |
| Best time | Year-round |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
The Nuthatch is the only British bird that routinely walks headfirst down tree trunks — it doesn't use its tail as a prop like a woodpecker, relying on grip alone
The Nuthatch is the only British bird that routinely walks headfirst down tree trunks — it doesn't use its tail as a prop like a woodpecker, relying on grip alone
More for experts
Nuthatches plaster mud around their nest hole entrance to reduce the size to exactly fit their body — a behaviour that deters larger competitors and predators from entering
Often confused with
Treecreeper (brown above, climbs upward only, curved bill), Great Tit (yellow breast, black cap)
Treecreeper (brown above, climbs upward only, curved bill), Great Tit (yellow breast, black cap)