A typical nuthatch with a long, pointed bill, short tail, and a bold black eye-stripe. The colour of the underparts varies across its range, from warm peachy-buff to bright white or even orangish tones. Usually encountered alone or in pairs, it moves along trunks and larger branches in deciduous and mixed woodland, as well as gardens, and often visits feeders. It behaves a little like a small woodpecker, though it doesn’t brace itself with its tail and is happy to climb down tree trunks head-first. While it often feeds high in the canopy, it will also come to the ground for fallen seeds. Its loud, ringing calls are often the first clue to its presence. In areas where other nuthatches occur, careful comparison may be needed.