What does the nuthatch look like? When does it breed and what does it eat? Find out everything you need to know about the nuthatch in our profile.
The nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is a very interesting species with many special characteristics. So it's no wonder that it was voted "Bird of the Year" in 2006. The nuthatch is often seen on tree trunks and branches, moving nimbly along to peck insects out of crevices in the bark. It resembles the treecreeper in this behavior, but unlike this - and many other birds - the nuthatch can not only climb up the tree, but also climb back down head first. It also combines other characteristics of other species: Thanks to the combination of a tit-like shape and a strong beak, which is used to open seeds and nuts with a loud, woodpecker-like knock, the nuthatch is also known by the nickname "woodpecker tit". For more information on size, song and habitat, see our nuthatch profile here.
Nuthatch Wanted Poster
| Size | Up to 14 cm |
| Weight | Up to 20 g |
| Incubation | April - May |
| Lifetime | Up to 7 years |
| Habitat | Forests, parks, groves, large and wild gardens |
| Food Preference | Insects, Spiders, Nuts and Seeds |
| Threats | Dwindling Nest and Food Supply |
How to recognize the nuthatch
A nuthatch is about the size of a great tit and of similar build - except for the long, pointed beak. Its back and elytra are blue-grey in color, contrasting with its light, brown-red belly. Like an extension of the dark beak, a black eye stripe, which is accentuated by white cheeks, extends to the base of the wing.
What does the nuthatch's song sound like?
Missing a nuthatch is almostimpossible. Its penetrating bird call echoes loudly through the forest. In addition to numerous calls ranging from sharp whistles to a trill, the nuthatch has a song consisting of a stanza of rising or falling, clear sounds: "wih-wih-wih".
The nuthatch's song sounds like this:
How do you recognize the young birds?
The young nuthatches are easy to spot, as they already look very similar to the adults. The eye stripe is not yet quite as dark and the belly is less reddish, but overall a young nuthatch can be identified without a doubt.
How do you recognize nuthatch eggs?
The nuthatch lays six or seven eggs per nest. These are about two centimeters in size, white and dotted with reddish spots. The eggs are laid in the brood cavity on a pad made of pieces of bark, grass and feathers. Scots pine bark tiles are often used for this, although these are rarely found near the nest site.
How do you tell the difference between male and female nuthatches?
Nuthatch females differ only slightly from their male counterparts. The typical distinguishing feature here are the chestnut-brown flanks, which are typical for the males, which in the females are only colored in the same light brown-red as the belly.
What is the ideal habitat of the nuthatch?
The ideal habitat for the nuthatch is a deciduous or mixed forest. The songbird also feels at home in a human environment - as long as there is enough old stock of trees available. These include parks, avenues and also large, wild gardens.
Where does the nuthatch build its nest?
As a cavity breeder, the nuthatch relies on old trees with natural tree cavities. Very often old woodpecker holes are also used and "renovated", because to protect against nest robbers, the nuthatch closes its hole entrance so far that it can just barely fit through, with the help of clay and small clods of earth, which it taps tightly around the opening. This process is also referred to as "sticking", which means something like "sticking" and gave the nuthatch its name.
When is the nuthatch breeding season?
Nuthatch females lay their eggs between mid and late April. theYoung birds hatch after about two weeks of incubation and are then fed lots of insects by both parents. After about 24 days they leave the nest and attempt to fly. At this stage they are particularly vulnerable to predators such as corvids or birds of prey. A second brood follows only very rarely.
What do nuthatches do in winter?
Nuthatches can be observed in Germany all year round and the breeding pairs remain together in their territories even in winter. There they set up a number of hiding places in the late year, in which they collect nuts, acorns and beechnuts, so that they can secure their supply in the cold winter months. The supplies are hidden in tree cracks, camouflaged with lichen or moss and vehemently defended.
How to support the nuthatch
Although nuthatches are capable of taking care of themselves in winter, there are many small measures that can make life easier for the native birds. Although nuthatches still have a stable population in Germany, they lack a natural habitat due to the small proportion of deciduous and mixed forests. By offering additional food or nesting boxes, you can support the animals and give them a new home in your own garden.
What do nuthatches eat?
Nuthatches feed mainly on insects and spiders in summer, which they peck out of the bark along tree trunks and branches with their pointed beak. In winter, on the other hand, they are vegetarian and rely on nuts and seeds. If you want to add extra food in winter, you should therefore use fatty food or pure nuts, such as peanuts. But sunflower seeds are also a high-energy treat for Kleiber. Our Plantura sunflower seeds for wild birds, for example, are ideal for winter feeding - they come without the shell and are therefore easy for the birds to eat. In addition, this reduces the amount of waste at the feeding station, in the garden or on the balcony.
Tip: You can find valuable tips on designing, cleaning and positioning a suitable feeding place in our article "Building a bird feeder yourself".
Which nest boxes are suitable for nuthatches?
As cave breeders, nuthatches prefer fully enclosed nesting boxes with an entrance hole that should have a diameter of 32 millimeters. However, since nuthatches have a habit of narrowing their burrow openings, they may also occupy nesting boxes meant for larger birds.
Tip: In ourIn our special article on the subject, we have compiled a number of important points to consider when buying or building a nest box, and when installing and maintaining it.
How can you support Kleiber?
Anyone who supports the protection of oak and beech forests also protects the natural habitat of the nuthatch. Unfortunately, there is a continuous decline in these old tree populations, which also threatens many other animal species. In addition to the nesting opportunities, the food supply is also dwindling due to insect mortality. It is therefore advisable to avoid chemical sprays as much as possible, which are responsible for part of this decline. If you also want to bring a little more life into your garden, you can use our Plantura beneficial insect magnet to create a paradise for a large number of insects, which of course also benefits feathered garden visitors.
You can find more tips for designing an insect-friendly garden here, which will not only please nuthatches, but also robins, jays and the like.