Nucifraga caryocatactes

Interesting facts: The nutcracker is a very territorial corvid. Its usually maintains its territory for its entire life (over 15 years). It also pairs for life. It feeds predominantly on hazelnuts and pine seeds. Up to 20 hazel nuts can be transported in a throat pouch when flying. A single bird can make up to 6000 food stores for the winter. It finds almost all of these again, even when they are buried beneath 1 m of snow. In summer, the bird preys on mice, eggs and insects.

Characteristics: Dark plumage sprinkled with white spots, crown dark and without spots, undertail coverts and tail tip white; thick, powerful dark to black beak; legs and feet dark grey

Body length: Longer than 30 cm (longer than a blackbird)

Distribution: Coniferous and mixed forests in low maintain ranges and the Alps