Corsican Nuthatch: Field Guide, Pictures, Habitat, & Info

Last Updated on Mar 13 2024

If you are a birdwatcher in the United States or Canada, you might be familiar with the white-breasted nuthatch. However, have you heard of the Corsican nuthatch? Chances are you might not have heard of this species of nuthatch due to the fact you can only spot them on the island of Corsica, a territorial collectivity of France. You would be lucky to spot one!

Curious to learn more about the Corsican nuthatch? This article goes over information about this rare bird.

Quick Facts About the Corsican Nuthatch

Corsican Nuthatch: General Description

The Corsican nuthatch is a small bird, reaching around 4.7 inches in overall length. These nuthatches have grayish-white chests and bellies and bluish-gray wings and backs. The male Corsican nuthatch has a black crown. They have thin beaks, which help them eat their main food source: pine nuts.

Corsican Nuthatch Range, Habitat, Behavior, Diet & Nesting

Range: This species of nuthatch can only be found on Corsica Island in Europe; however, it has a wide range all over the island. On the eastern side of this Mediterranean island is the inconspicuous commune of Ghisoni. Lush forests, jagged mountains, and alpine lakes make this area a prime spot for Corsican nuthatches to be seen. In the northwestern region of Corsica is the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse, a prime spot for hiking—not too far south of Monte Cinto, the island’s tallest peak. This park and its surrounding area are filled with untouched wilderness, which makes it a great place to search for this nuthatch.

Habitat

The best place to find these nuthatches are in pine forests, particularly in the Corsican pines and white firs. The older pine trees are the better places to find the nuthatch as those trees are an abundant food source.

Behavior

Corsican nuthatches are sedentary and will rarely venture to the ground. They prefer the tree branches. These nuthatches are also territorial birds that will defend their homes. Corsican nuthatches remain in monogamous couples.

Diet

Pine nuts are the primary food for Corsican nuthatches. However, they will feed on small flying insects and small arthropods. A feeding behavior that nuthatches often exhibit is hiding seeds under tree bark to consume when food becomes scarce in the winter seasons.

Nesting

The breeding season for Corsican nuthatches begins in April or May, but it is also dependent on the cone production of the pine trees. If the cone production is low, the nuthatches will wait until there are more insects before breeding. The average clutch size for a Corsican nuthatch is around 4 to 6 eggs. The eggs are white with reddish-brown spots. Once the brood is around 3 weeks old, they will leave the nest.

How to Find Corsican Nuthatches: Birdwatching Tips

What to Listen For

Corsican nuthatches make a light pu sound, often repeated in 5 to 6 notes: pupupupupu. However, when these birds are agitated or threatened, they will make a psch-psch-psch sound and then move up to a sch-wer, sch-wer sound when at their peak of agitation.

What to Look For

Look for older pine trees when searching for the Corsican nuthatch. These birds prefer the older pine trees to nest in because they provide more food. Corsican nuthatches rarely venture to the ground, so keep your eyes to the tree,

When to Look

Breeding season is the best time to be on the lookout for these nuthatches. However, males will start singing for a mate in late December, meaning you might have luck seeing them during that month.

Attracting the Corsican Nuthatch to Your Backyard: Tips & Tricks

Unfortunately, unless your permanent home is on Corsica, you will not be able to attract this bird to your backyard. And even if you did live on Corsica, these nuthatches prefer sticking around old pine trees, not birdhouses.
Corsican Nuthatch Conservation: Is This Bird Threatened?

The Corsican nuthatch has gone through various conservation statuses. In the 1980s, these birds were considered “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In the early 2000s, that status was changed to “least concern”. However, currently, their status is “vulnerable”. This species is a bit rare, as it can only be found on this one island. There are an estimated 2,000 of these birds living in the wild because their habitat has been encroached upon. Nesting areas were also affected, so their numbers haven’t had a positive look over the years.

Summing Up

The Corsican nuthatch would be a fantastic bird to catch a glimpse of if you are ever on Corsica. Despite the lush surroundings, this bird species is still considered vulnerable. It is important to understand that all things in nature can be thrown off balance. Hopefully, in the coming years, the population of the Corsican nuthatch will grow and move away from its current status to one where it is no longer threatened.

Featured Image Credit: Agami Photo Agency, Shutterstock