Songs of Field and Garden

April 12, 2026

The Upside Down Bird

With practiced ease you scamper down,

along, around or up indeed.

A blue cloaked acrobat of trees,

a master of the living bark.

The Nuthatch is often first noticed because of its unique habit of climbing down the trunk of a tree. They will then notice its beautiful colouring, its blue grey back and its stunning buff coloured chest and belly and the striking black eye stripe.

Not a particularly melodic singer it announces its presence with a sharp "tee whit" which can carry a long way in the woodland setting.

Tradition has the bird as industrious, thrifty - using what is there, it is known to store food.

This photo was taken by Steve Allanson in a forest in Galloway.

Posted by Steve Allanson 12/04/2026

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