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nuthatch (NUHT-hach) - n., any of several small, sharp-beaked, short-tailed birds of the genus Sitta found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, known for climbing down trees headfirst.
Most species have a black eye stripe and have grey or blue upper parts contrasting with buff or brown breast and belly. The local version found in the southwestern United States (as well as most of northern U.S. and Canada) is the red-breasted nuthatch:
Thanks, Wikimedia!
In its oldest form, back in the 14th century, the name was spelled more like nutehache and nuthak, which brings out that the second half is cognate to hack and hatchet, from its habit of using its bill to break open nuts (most species are omnivorous, though).
And that wraps up this week of birds with names that are fun to say -- and while I do indeed have more, I'll take a break for more of the usual mixed bag before doing another bird week. But stay tuned!
---L.
Most species have a black eye stripe and have grey or blue upper parts contrasting with buff or brown breast and belly. The local version found in the southwestern United States (as well as most of northern U.S. and Canada) is the red-breasted nuthatch:
Thanks, Wikimedia!
In its oldest form, back in the 14th century, the name was spelled more like nutehache and nuthak, which brings out that the second half is cognate to hack and hatchet, from its habit of using its bill to break open nuts (most species are omnivorous, though).
And that wraps up this week of birds with names that are fun to say -- and while I do indeed have more, I'll take a break for more of the usual mixed bag before doing another bird week. But stay tuned!
---L.
