Is this a Nuthatch?

[alisonclair]

Thank you!

[Back]

Yes

[Pete Collins]

Yes, that is a nuthatch.

[faz]

cool pic of a nuthatch

[RKB]

Looks like a juvenile female.

[Hedgehoggy]

Originally Posted by RKB

Looks like a juvenile female.

I never knew it was possible to distinguish between male and female nuthatches , are the differences subtle?

[RKB]

You can even sex them as nestlings. Males have a deep brick-red edge to the flank that extends to under the tail, whereas this is absent or pale orange on females. This bird is quite pale, 'clean' and smart-looking, which strongly suggests a juvenile - adults are moulting at the moment so look much scruffier, whereas juvs have only been out of the nest for a few weeks.

[Hedgehoggy]

Thanks RKB I was busy googling whilst you were replying and could only find one website answering my Q; it cited “the chestnut-brown at the sides and under the tail is paler in females” - which is what you have said. I'm going to study the nuthatches in my garden more closely as from now to see if I can observe this difference - although I suspect I may need to see them side by side to begin with!


Nice pic btw, Alison.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Hedgehoggy

Thanks RKB I was busy googling whilst you were replying and could only find one website answering my Q; it cited “the chestnut-brown at the sides and under the tail is paler in females” - which is what you have said. I'm going to study the nuthatches in my garden more closely as from now to see if I can observe this difference - although I suspect I may need to see them side by side to begin with!


Nice pic btw, Alison.

Male: http://www.mullbirds.com/Nuthatch_Ca...ll10-04=08.jpg

Female: http://www.mattcolephotography.co.uk...thatch%204.jpg

[Hedgehoggy]

Perfect, thank you I can see from those photos precisely where the female lacks the darker colouration on her flanks and under the tail. Now I know what to look for it’ll be easy peasy