nuthatch

noun

nut·​hatch ˈnət-ˌhach 

: 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

Illustration of nuthatch

Examples of nuthatch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This relationship been also reported for Eurasian nuthatches, Sitta europaea, another songbird with orange plumage, according to a 2018 study (ref), but in this species, females show a surprising preference for as little orange plumage coloring as possible when making their mate choices. —Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Suet cakes of this sort are ideal for attracting woodpeckers and other year-round resident birds, like nuthatches. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025

Suet is good for attracting birds that love insects, such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025

Within a few years, I could be heard to note that the nuthatches were running late this season, or that the chickadees renewed their lease on the south nesting box. —Murr Brewster, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nuthatch

• attach
• bycatch
• despatch
• detach
• dispatch
• mismatch
• potlatch
• toothache
• bache
• batch
• brach
• catch

Kids Definition

nuthatch

noun

nut·​hatch ˈnət-ˌhach 

: any of various small birds that climb trees and eat insects and are noted for their habit of going down tree trunks headfirst