Nuthatch

Description:

It is always a pleasure to succeed few pics of this discreet but lively forest dweller... The nuthatch is small passerine bird, 12 to 15 cm of total length, aand is easily recognized by big head, (almost) neckless body and long pointed bill, with a rusty-buff breast and belly. Most often seen running up-and-down the trees, picking up insects and their larvae from the bark. When it moves, it is usually very fast and unpredictable; but it can also stay without moving for longer periods - in the pic N° 1, it rested in that position for well over 10min, while I and my pals were frantically clicking shots... For pics from N° 2-5, I'm quite happy that I got them at all - I was shooting from the ground, while the bird was scurrying around that tree, at some 7m of height, and it was really fast.

Habitat:

Seen on edges of lowland deciduous forests, mainly oak and beech, in Geneva lake valley, close both to human settlements and agricultural fields. These patches of a forest are remnants of an ancient large forest that existed in bigger part of this valley; and the two where I go regularly are protected.