Nuthatch

Sitta europaea

The nuthatch is rather plump bird with a slate-grey back, chestnut flanks, a buff breast and bold black eye-stripes like Zorro's mask!

It can move down tree trunks headfirst easily and if you're lucky enough to have one of these pretty birds come to your bird food, it'll probably be pecking at the peanut feeder upside down.

Nuthatches build their nests in tree holes, but will occasionally breed in nestboxes.

They are widespread in England and Wales, but absent from Scotland and Ireland.

Nuthatches love peanuts and sunflower hearts from feeders as well as insects and seeds from mature woodland.

UK Distribution