This photo was taken from a photo hut at the Kalmthoutse Heide Border Park.
The nuthatch has just got hold of some food and is hanging onto the tree trunk in its own particular way.
The nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is a bird in the family of nuthatches (Sittidae). The species' scientific name was published in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of Systema naturae. The name 'nuthatch' refers to the plugging of the nest entrance, although walking up and down the tree trunk undoubtedly also played a role.
The nuthatch is a somewhat stocky and active bird with a powerful pointed bill. Its length is 12 to 17 cm. The upper side and upper head are blue-grey. The underside is isabel with reddish-brown flanks. In the adult male, the hind flank is sharply defined orange-brown and this makes it possible to determine the sex even in immature specimens. It also has a broad black eye stripe with light cheeks and throat. In the adult female, the hind flank is less sharply defined orange-brown. Otherwise, it is identical to the male.
My name is Patrick Haleyt, a nature and black-and-white street photographer driven by a deep fascination with the raw beauty of the natural world. My work focuses on capturing the quiet intensity of nature and landscapes - moments where light, form and emotion merge into timeless simplicity. My.. Read more…