Nuthatches are birds in the genus Sitta in the family Sittidae. They are small passerine birds known for their large heads, short tails, and strong bills and feet. They use loud, simple songs to establish territory and typically have grey or bluish upper parts with a black eye stripe.
Most nuthatch species breed in the Northern Hemisphere’s temperate or montane woodlands, with some adapting to rocky habitats in Eurasia. Southern Asia boasts the greatest diversity, and similarities among species can complicate identification. While most nuthatches are non-migratory, the North American red-breasted nuthatch migrates in winter. Some species face threats from deforestation.
These omnivorous birds primarily eat insects, nuts, and seeds, foraging by climbing tree trunks and branches, sometimes upside down. Their characteristic behavior of wedging food into crevices and hacking at it with their bills gives them their name.
