Look at those toes

We have a couple of Nuthatches who come into the garden, usually after the peanuts. They take a bit of capturing, as they are woodland birds and nervous of open spaces. This one stood momentarily on the top of the feeder.

Just look at those powerful toes and short legs that help it to climb up, down and around tree trunks and branches. And that beak is just something else. I’ve just discovered that the name Nuthatch is a Middle English word that roughly translates as ‘nut hacker’ and probably refers to their habit of smashing open nuts after wedging them into crevices.

A stylish, unmistakable bird; a joy to watch.