Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor)

Although the smallest woodpecker species is only a size of a sparrow, it does not differ much from its larger relatives concerning appearance and behaviour. It is a common species in deciduous forests. It forages mainly in the foliage, looking for insects and spiders on dry thin branches. During winter we can observe this bird creeping on tree trunks, too, searching for food under the bark. It excavates its own nesting hole into decaying softwood or fruit trees. In nesting season it demonstrates its territory by rapid pecking.

Willow Tit (Parus montanus)

Looks very similar to marsh tit, it can be distinguished by its dull black cap and the light patch on the wing. Primarily it is native to coniferous and mixed forests, where old and hollow trees are adequately represented. It excavates nesting hole by its own, choosing some kind of softwood, but also occupies available treeholes. It is a resident species, but tends to wander outside breeding season. It feeds mainly on insects of the canopy.

Treecreepers (Certhia sp.)

There are two treecreeper species in Hungary. It is hard to distinguish them by appearance, and their distribution range partly overlaps, too. Deciduous forest are their most important habitats. Most often we can spy these small birds on trunks or thick branches, moving (creeping) upwards in spiral fashion, searching for insects. By the help of their gently curved bill they are able to reach those cracks which are inaccessible for woodpeckers, tits or nuthatches. Their nest is built in gaps of the bark or behind flap or loose bark.

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

This small insectivore bird has skills like a woodpecker. It can be often seen in an upside-down position on trees, looking for food. Besides insects found in bark gaps it feeds on larvae hiding under the bark, pulling out them with its long and stout bill. It strips bark like a woodpecker. The nuthatch requires habitat where old trees are represented in an adecquate number. It even settles in city parks with appropriate conditions. In forests it nest in abandoned woodpecker holes, but occupies artificial nestboxes as well.