Do Nuthatches use tools

[wolvereal]

I'll try and get a picture.Trouble is, that as soon as it spots

the slightest movement, it skedaddles. There is plenty of food on the

ground including sunflower hearts but it seems to deliberately search

for something suitable, which seems to be a sunflower seed with the shell.

It might be a young bird just following its instincts but I know that certain

birds select thorns etc with which to " hook" out insects etc.

[wolvereal]

This is the Nuthatch inspecting a crevice.

[wolvereal]

This is the Nuthatch with a sunflower seed in its beak.

Sorry for the poor quality but shot at long zoom through

the kitchen window on a dark rainy day

[Mungo]

I think they are fabulous pictures.

A lovely little bird. Well done!

[smartie]

Those are very good action shots. Nuthatches do store food for later in that way. I've one that visits me sometimes and leaves seeds in cracks in our wooden fence. I've never seen it come back for them, though.

[wolvereal]

Thank you everybody for your replies.

I think that a hawk has taken a Siskin, so all the birds

are hiding and are very cautious, so the camera has been

shelved for the time being.

Wolvereal.

[deer boy]

Hi wolvereal welcome to WAB, nice shots

[ron1863]

When Nuthatches build nests in crevices or holes in trees they cement up excess gaps using mud that hardens like cement. So I guess they do use a tool of sorts.

[Phoebe]

Hi Wolvereal welcome to WAB It does look like your Nuthatch is looking for insects in the cracks!

[wolvereal]

Hi Phoebe,

Yes, I wondered if it was using the seed to try

and probe for insects. Still haven't a clue.

Since I took the pics. It hasn't been seen since

Must be camera shy

wolvereal