The Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), known in Japanese as “Gojūkara”, is a small bird about 13.5 cm in length.
A bluish-grey tone extends from the crown down the back to the tail, while the face and breast are strikingly pale.
A distinct black eye-stripe accentuates the facial pattern, and the species is well known for its nimble movements—not only along branches but also across tree trunks with remarkable agility.
Among its most notable traits is the ability to descend tree trunks headfirst, a behavior supported by its powerful grip and sharply curved claws.
The species is widely distributed across temperate to subarctic forests from Eurasia to North America.
In Japan, it inhabits well-developed deciduous broadleaf forests from Hokkaido to Kyushu.
For nesting, it makes use of natural tree cavities or holes excavated by woodpeckers, as it cannot dig its own.
It is also known for narrowing the entrance of such cavities with mud, a behavior thought to help protect the nest from predators and maintain a secure breeding site.