Meet the Model – Norbert the Nuthatch
words and images by Peter Hanscomb
Say hello to Norman , the Nuthatch Sitta europaea.
This small agile and busy tit-sized woodland bird has a short tail, large head and a woodpecker-like bill. Nuthatches are the only bird that will climb up and down tree trunks in mature woods and parklands, feeding on insects, seeds and nuts, such as hazelnuts and beechmast. The nuthatch is distinctive. Grey above, with a long black horizontal strip through the eye, white cheeks and throat, and a rust-coloured belly. They nest in holes in trees left by Wood Peckers or abandoned nests, but are also happy to use nestboxes. This territorial bird starts breeding in April and can produce two clutches of up to 13 eggs each.
Nuthatch Fact… Ringed adult birds seldom travel more than a mile from where the where caught and ringed .
Nuthatches are omnivorous, eating mostly insects, nuts, and seeds. They forage for insects hidden in or under bark in woodland by climbing along tree trunks and branches, sometimes upside-down. They forage within their small territories when breeding, but they may join mixed feeding flocks at other times. Their habit of wedging a large food item in a crevice and then hacking at it with their strong bills gives this group its English name. The nuthatches stores food, especially seeds, in tree crevices, in the ground, under small stones, or behind bark flakes, and these caches are remembered for as long as a month.
Nuthatches are monogamous. The female produces eggs that are white with red or yellow markings; the clutch size varies, but can number up to twelve eggs. The eggs are incubated for 12 to 18 days by both parents and the chicks take between 21 and 27 days to fledge. Both parents feed the young take it in turn to feed the young.
Facts
Wingspan. 24cm
Length 24cm
Weight 24g
Life expectancy 2/3 years in the wild
Gallery
©️ wildonline 2020 all rights reserved
THE HIDE – BLACKCAP
THURSDAY 18TH APRIL 2023 What a difference a few days makes. Another day here at the Meadow Hide and for once I’m bathed in lovely bright sunshine and a clear blue sky. There is still a nip in the air , it may be sunny but it’s definitely not quite tee-shirt weather yet , however…
WILDLIFE – BUZZARD
The Buzzard – Buteo buteo By Graham Stewart The Buzzard is now the most common and widespread of all the birds of prey in the UK despite the high mortality rate of its young Diet: Being a slow flier the Buzzard does most of its hunting from a perch in a tree where it sits…
REVIEW- CANON RS-80N3 REMOTE SWITCH
RS-80N3 REMOTE SWITCH ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Here’s another personal favourite and kit bag staple , the Canon RS-80N3 cabled remote switch. It comes with an 80cm fixed cable. The N3 connector is compatible with a number Canon bodies including my personal choice the mirrorless Canon R5 , The link at the bottom of this review has a…
“Their habit of wedging a large food item in a crevice and then hacking at it with their strong bills” Possibly for this reason the Polish name is kowalik i.e. “little blacksmith”.
Very interesting. I think I need to read up on the info of birds across the whole of Europe .
Great shots !
Thank you
Love these birds!
Thank you