The Nuthatch is fairly well distributed over the woodland portions of our southern and midland counties, becoming rarer towards the north. In Scotland it has only been observed in a few counties, and has never been met with in Ireland.

It is a very shy bird, but is most interesting to observe, as he runs up and down with extreme facility, assuming, as he does so, many graceful and curious positions. Unlike the Woodpeckers, which only run up the trees, it seems quite immaterial to this species whether he be going up, down, or sideways, forwards or backwards, for in all positions he seems equally at home. He will be more often heard than seen as the sharp, shrill note will betray his whereabouts, though by keeping on the far side of the tree he avoids being seen. Insects are largely eaten in summer, but seeds, berries, nuts, and beechmast form his chief food. Nuts and hard seeds are taken to some convenient crevice in the bark and hammered with the sharp, hard bill until an entrance having been effected, the kernel can be pulled out and eaten. Some hole in a tree or wall, or more rarely in a bank, is chosen as the nesting-site; the entrance is generally plastered up with mud till only a small circular hole, just large enough to admit the bird, is left. The inside of the cavity is lined with a few leaves and scraps of bark on which five to seven eggs, boldly marked with reddish brown, are laid. These eggs bear a close resemblance to those of the Great Tit, but are, as a general rule, rather larger. In the courting season the male has a pretty little song, and “shows off” to the female as he chases her up and down the trees. It is a strictly resident species and may be found in the same spot throughout the year.

The general colour of the upper parts is bluish grey, but all the tail feathers, except the central pair, are blackish, barred and tipped with white and grey. A black stripe runs through the eye from the base of the bill. The under parts are pale rufous shading to chestnut on the flanks and under-tail coverts. Length 5·7 in.; wing 3·4 in.

The female and young are rather duller in colour.