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August 11, 2006

Friday Feathers

The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carlinensis) is a slate gray bird with a white face and belly, black cap and nape. It has a long thin bill that is slightly upturned and a chestnut undertail.

The nuthatch's habit of hopping headfirst down tree trunks helps it see insects and insect eggs that birds climbing up the trunk might miss. Incredible climbing agility comes from an extra-long hind toe claw or nail, nearly twice the size of the front toe claws. The name "Nuthatch" comes from the Middle English moniker nuthak, referring to the bird's habit of wedging a seed into a crevice and hacking it open.

Cindy