Page 367 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

CROWS
Order Passeriformes Family Corvidae Species Nucifraga caryocatactes
Nutcracker dark brown cap
(streaked on
juvenile)
bold white spots
all over dark
brown body
thick, dagger-
dark blue- like bill
black wings
ADULT
thickset body
white- IN FLIGHT
tipped
black tail unspotted, brownish
black wings (spotted
on juvenile)
white
under tail
his pale-spotted, crow-like bird often perches
Tconspicuously on top of tall conifers; it is
unmistakable in a good view. Generally easy ADULT
to find in its restricted range, the Nutcracker
sometimes appears far outside this usual breeding
distribution. It is subject to occasional population
booms which, if they combine with a local food shortage,
trigger large-scale movements, or irruptions, as birds are forced to fly FLIGHT: rather Jay-like on broad wings but short-
far and wide in an effort to survive. Many do not survive these long tailed, strong, direct, with upward swoop to treetop
journeys and the population quickly subsides.These invaders are perch; drops steeply from perch.
nearly all of the slender-billed eastern race from Russia,
although a few northern thick-billed birds are
involved.These birds, far from their usual home,
are often surprisingly tame.
VOICE Occasional long, drawn out, hard rattle in
spring and summer; otherwise silent.
NESTING Nest of twigs lined with grass and moss,
near trunk of tree, usually spruce; 3 or 4 eggs; 1 brood;
May–July.
FEEDING Eats some large insects but mainly seeds of
hazel, pine, and spruce, constantly collected and stored UNIQUE BIRD
in summer and re-found with great accuracy (even The Nutcracker is unique-looking, but novice birdwatchers may at times
under snow) in winter. mistake Starlings and young Mistle Thrushes for the rarer, larger bird.
SIMILAR SPECIES SUBSPECIES OCCURRENCE
Breeds in S Scandinavia, east from
STARLING winter; N. c. macrothyncus Baltic and in mountain areas of
see p.372 (NE Europe, Asia); C and E Europe. In forests with
more white
much on tail; spruce, hazel, and pine. Resident
smaller slimmer bill except when seed crops fail: birds
then move south and west to find
food, rarely in mass emigrations.
Seen in the UK
JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 32–35cm (12 1 ⁄2 –14in) Wingspan 49–53cm (19 1 ⁄2 –21in) Weight 120–170g (4–6oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan Up to 5 years Status Secure†
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