Main Entry:

nut·hatch

Pronunciation:

\ˈnət-ˌhach\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English notehache, from note nut + -hache; akin to Old English tohaccian to hack — more at hack

Date:

14th century

: any of various small tree-climbing chiefly insectivorous birds (family Sittidae and especially genus Sitta) that have a compact body, a narrow bill, a short tail, and sometimes a black cap

[nuthatch illustration]