Nuthatch

Appearance:
The nuthatch is a small, compact bird with a strong, pointed beak and short tail. Its upperparts are typically bluish-grey, while the underparts range from white to a soft buff-orange. It has a distinctive black eye-stripe running from the beak through the eye, giving it a masked look. The legs and feet are strong, adapted for climbing tree trunks headfirst.

Size and Weight:
Length: 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 inches)
Wingspan: 20–27 cm (7.9–10.6 inches)
Weight: 18–30 grams (0.6–1.1 ounces)

Lifespan:
In the wild, nuthatches usually live around 2–5 years, though some individuals may reach up to 8 years.

Diet:
Summer: Mainly insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
Winter: Seeds, nuts, and occasionally berries. They are known to store food in tree bark crevices for later consumption.

Breeding:
Nuthatches typically breed once per year, although in favorable conditions some may attempt a second brood.
They lay 5–10 eggs per clutch.
Incubation lasts about 13–17 days, mostly by the female.
Fledging occurs around 18–26 days after hatching.

Nest:
Nuthatches usually nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes.
They line the nest with soft materials such as moss, feathers, and fur.
They often plaster the entrance hole with mud to reduce its size and keep out predators.