Omnivore - insects, other invertebrates,
hazelnuts, acorns,
pine, beech, sunflower
seeds, suet, tree
sap
PREDATORS:
Owls, hawks, weasels, foxes
HABITAT:
Mixed woodlands, suburban
parks
Photo: Mark Cassino
DESCRIPTION
Nuthatches are named for their habit of cracking
open hazelnuts by hammering them with their beaks.
They are easy to spot because they climb down trees
head first. This has earned them the nickname, “upside down birds.”
Nuthatches have many interesting ways to protect
their nests. They build mud walls. They use stinky insects as predator repellants. They
also live high up in the trees.
Nuthatches are good at catching running or flying
insects.
