Editing Nuthatch (section)

{{Short description|Genus, ''Sitta'', of small passerine birds from the Northern Hemisphere }}
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Redirect|Sitta|the ancient capital of Sittacene|Sittace}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Nuthatches
| image = Sitta europaea -Rouge Cloitre estate, Sonian Forest, near Brussels, Belgium-8.jpg
| image_caption = A [[Eurasian nuthatch]] at the Rouge Cloître estate in the [[Sonian Forest]], near [[Brussels, Belgium]]
| parent_authority = [[René Primevère Lesson|Lesson]], 1828
| taxon = Sitta
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758
| type_species = ''[[Sitta europaea]]''
| type_species_authority = Linnaeus, 1758
}}
The '''nuthatches''' ({{IPAc-en|'|n|ʌ|t|h|æ|tʃ|}}) constitute a [[genus]], '''''Sitta''''', of small [[passerine]] [[bird]]s belonging to the family '''Sittidae'''. Characterised by large heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet, nuthatches advertise their territory using loud, simple songs. Most species exhibit grey or bluish upper parts and a black eye stripe.

Most nuthatches breed in the temperate or [[montane forest|montane woodlands]] of the [[Northern Hemisphere]], although two species have adapted to rocky habitats in the warmer and drier regions of [[Eurasia]]. However, the greatest diversity is in [[South Asia|Southern Asia]], and similarities between the species have made it difficult to identify distinct species. All members of this genus nest in holes or crevices. Most species are [[bird migration|non-migratory]] and live in their habitat year-round, although the [[North America]]n [[red-breasted nuthatch]] migrates to warmer regions during the winter. A few nuthatch species have restricted ranges and face threats from [[deforestation]].

Nuthatches are [[Omnivore|omnivorous]], eating mostly [[insect]]s, [[Nut (fruit)|nut]]s, and [[seed]]s. They forage for insects hidden in or under bark by climbing along tree trunks and branches, sometimes upside-down. They forage within their territories when breeding, but they may join [[mixed-species feeding flock|mixed feeding flocks]] at other times. 

Their habit of wedging a large food item in a crevice and then hacking at it with their strong bills gives this group its English name.