What does the Eurasian Nuthatch eat?

The Eurasian Nuthatch's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Omnivore (primarily insects in summer, seeds and nuts in winter)

How it forages

Forages on tree trunks and branches, often moving headfirst downwards, probing bark crevices for insects, spiders, and larvae. In autumn and winter, its diet shifts to nuts and seeds, particularly acorns, hazelnuts, and beech mast. It often wedges large nuts into bark crevices and hammers them open with its strong bill. Known for caching food in bark crevices for later consumption.

When it feeds

Diurnal.

Explore the Eurasian Nuthatch