Nuthatches

The nuthatches are small passerine birds with large heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet. Most species exhibit grey or bluish upper parts and a black eye stripe. Most nuthatches breed in the temperate or montane woodlands of the Northern Hemisphere, although two species have adapted to rocky habitats in the warmer and drier regions of Eurasia. Most species are non-migratory and live in their habitat year-round, although the North American red-breasted nuthatch migrates to warmer regions during the winter. All members of this genus nest in holes or crevices and advertise their territory using loud, simple songs. Nuthatches eat mostly insects, nuts, and seeds. They forage within their territories when breeding, but may also join mixed feeding flocks at other times. The habit of nuthatches of wedging a large food item in a crevice and then hacking at it with their strong bills gives these birds their English name.