Description
L 23-26 cm. WS 38-44 cm. Breeds in all kinds of woodland, especially with stands of spruce and pine (Conifer seeds important winter food), also larger parks and gardens.; in Britain mostly in deciduous/mixed woods, often with good element of aspen and waterlogged regrowth. Alert and cautious, but in winter may visit bird tables etc. Food insects, conifer seeds, at times also bird eggs and nestlings. In some autumns, when cone crop fails in northern taiga, makes invasion-like migrations to S and SW. Nest in all sort of soft Wood, such as Birch. Entrance c. 5x6 cm. This is a very common Species in the Dutch Forests.