The Nuthatch is also known as the ‘upside down bird’ because it can climb down trees head first. It can be found throughout the country in deciduous woods, parklands and mature gardens. No other bird in England can move down a tree upside down.

The Nuthatch is quite a small plump-looking bird with a relatively large head and a short neck. It can be recognised by its blue-grey feathers on the top part of its body and the orange-brown coloured feathers on the sides of its body. It has a white chin and neck with an orange-brown coloured chest and belly. The Nuthatch also has a long black stripe on either side of its face which seems to run through each eye. Its beak is black, long and quite pointed.

Nuthatches are also known as ‘scatter hoarders’ because they hide and store their food items one at a time. Food such as hazelnuts and acorns are often stored in tree crevices and in the roots of trees to be retrieved at a later date. However, they mainly eat beetles and spiders in the summer and nuts, seeds and acorns in the winter. Nuthatches sing loud and varied songs with lots of different whistle-sounding notes.