Nuthatch inspecting the bark of a tree

On one of my countless visits of the cementary in Linz I met this nuthatch along with other birds that lived there in last spring. It was funny watching the nuthatch running up and down the bark of the tree and looking for insects all over the tree. I could watch it for several minutes before it flew away and I had to look for another spot with birds. Nuthatches are compact birds with short legs, compressed wings, and square 12-feathered tails. They have long, sturdy, pointed bills and strong toes with long claws. These long claws help them climbing trees withouth the need to fly. Nuthatches are specializes in searching for insects underneath the bark of trees and also help the trees in sometimes picking out insects that harm the tree.

I already found this bird at several spots here in Austria since it is quite common and it is also a bird that has a lot of subspecies in other regions. Nuthateches feed on Insects and other invertebrates that they found on the tree barks. A combination of old and new trees is good for the population of the nuthatch in the forests. In winter I often see this bird visiting the feeders with seeds.

Nuthatch inspecting a old part of the tree. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Nuthatch probably inspecting me. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Funny how far they can turn their head. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Nuthatch sitting on top of soft moss. Picture: Florian Glechner.