With a 291% increase between 1967 and 2023, the Nuthatch is on the green list of Birds of Conservation Concern, meaning it is not in need of conservation help at the moment. Management of our woodland nature reserves means it has the optimum conditions to thrive.
In woodland across England, Wales and parts of southern Scotland. Absent from Ireland. They will also visit gardens, especially in the winter. The population has been increasing over the past 50 years, meaning you are more likely to come across one now.
It feeds in the tops of trees, so can be quite tricky to see, but its series of loud whistles will usually give away its identity.
Nuthatches also have a unique talent – they’re the only bird in the UK that can climb down a tree trunk beak first! Its dagger-like beak is characteristic and you might see one in a garden, especially in the winter.
Take care though, nut-watchers, Nuthatch behaviour can be confused with that of the Treecreeper. It’s a similarly sized bird that likes to scamper up the side of trees in search of insects before flying back down.
Brilliant birds, month by month: what to see and where to go.
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