nuthatch

[ nuht-hach ]

noun

1. any of numerous small, short-tailed, sharp-beaked birds of the family Sittidae that creep on trees and feed on small nuts and insects.

nuthatch

/ ˈnʌtˌhætʃ /

noun

1. any songbird of the family Sittidae, esp Sitta europaea, having strong feet and bill, and feeding on insects, seeds, and nuts

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuthatch¹

1300–50; Middle English notehache, nuthagge, nuthak, literally, nut hacker. See nut, hack ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuthatch¹

C14: notehache, from note nut + hache hatchet, from the bird's habit of splitting nuts; see nut , hack ¹

Example Sentences

In warm weather, it’s alive with nuthatches, chickadees, sometimes a downy woodpecker.

From Seattle Times

She says she now never sees less common species like treecreepers, nuthatches and green woodpeckers in her garden.

From BBC

The hulking tree, full of carbon and a cool resting place for racoons and red-breasted nuthatches, was slated to be axed as soon as Friday in the development of six units of housing.

From Seattle Times

“I am happy when I watch a tufted titmouse, nuthatch or any other bird fly to one of my feeders and chow down on a big fat nut or seed,” wrote Donna McDowell of Gaithersburg.

From Washington Post

Witko also recommends suet cages, which are good for attracting nuthatches, woodpeckers and Carolina wrens.

From Washington Post