Nuthatch - Sitta europaea

Description

About the size of a Robin, this bird resembles a small woodpecker, particularly as it is mainly seen on tree trunks. It has a grey back, chestnut sides and a black eye-stripe.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Mature woodland and parkland with large trees

When to see it

All year round

Life History

It searches tree trunks and branches for insects and also eats seeds and nuts, typically working its way down the trunk. Nuthatches breed over most of England and Wales, using tree holes which they line with grass or bark.

UK Status

Widespread and common in England and Wales, but few records from Scotland

VC55 Status

A resident of Leicestershire and Rutland and frequently seen.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Eurasian Nuthatch, Wood Nuthatch, Nuthatch
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Passeriformes
Family:
Sittidae
Records on NatureSpot:
431
First record:
01/01/2002 (John Thickitt)
Last record:
03/05/2025 (Williams, Sally)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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