The upside-down world of nuthatches...

Photos

by 

Barry

the

Birder

 Red-breasted Nuthatch      ~      White-breasted Nuthatch

I dare say when it comes to nuthatches at our backyard feeders, they spend more time looking and facin g downward than they do looking upwards.   It has to do, of course, with footholds and the feeding port openings.  Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers sometimes try to imitate the nuthatches, but look like awkward amateurs by comparison.   We also see the nuthatches occasionally foraging for insects in or under tree bark, along branches or trunks.   The behaviour has earned them the nickname "Upside-down Bird", in many places by many birdwatchers.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder