Genus: Sitta; Family: Sittidae
Japanese: ゴジュウカラ科
A genus of bird which forages insects, seeds and nuts by climbing on tree trunks, even upside-down. Nuthatches featured in Japanese art are likely to be the Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea, ゴジュウカラ), but there are about 15 species in Asia alone. They have stubby tails and pointed bills; most species feature a strong black eye stripe and blue-grey backs.