Hello, everyone! Have you ever seen a Eurasian Nuthatch? This bird is not just any ordinary small bird!
The Eurasian Nuthatch is about 13.5cm long, roughly the size of a sparrow. Its body is colored with blue-grey on the back and white on the belly, with orange flanks. Particularly striking is the black line that runs from its beak over its eye, known as the supercilium. This slender beak has evolved to prey on insects hidden in tree bark.
The most distinctive feature of the Eurasian Nuthatch is its unique ability to descend trees headfirst, a skill not seen in other small birds. They use their strong legs and claws to move down the trunk of a tree upside down or move freely in any direction. This skill is exclusive to the nuthatch family, and in Japan, only the Eurasian Nuthatch possesses it!
Widely found from Hokkaido to Kyushu in Japan, the Eurasian Nuthatch is primarily a resident bird, meaning it doesn’t migrate significantly with the seasons. In fact, there are three subspecies of the Eurasian Nuthatch in Japan. They have an omnivorous diet, eating a balanced mix of insects, fruits, and seeds. They are particularly adept at finding insects hidden in tree bark!
Although the Eurasian Nuthatch and the Great Tit have similar names, they look completely different and are easy to distinguish once you know their characteristics. Especially, the upside-down acrobatics of the Eurasian Nuthatch is awe-inspiring to see during a walk in the forest.
This small forest circus, the Eurasian Nuthatch, displays acrobatic movements as if dancing freely on the tree trunks. Next time you visit the forest, be sure to look out for the Eurasian Nuthatch. You might just witness the tiny circus they perform in nature.
