Nutcracker

Nucifraga caryocatactes

Introduction

Over 300 Nutcrackers were recorded across Britain & Ireland in 1968, their arrival the result of a large irruptive movement into western Europe from their Siberian home; there have only been a handful of records since.

Key Stats

Status

Very rare

Weight

163.8g

Seasonality

BTO Records

65 records

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

No current data

No data

No current data

No current data

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

Open Close

This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

Species of European Conservation Concern

Least Concern

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Birds Directive Annex 1

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

Open Close

BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Flintshire, 1753

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

Open Close

Population trends of this scarce species are not routinely monitored.

Distribution

Open Close

This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution.

European Distribution Map

European Breeding Bird Atlas 2

Distribution Change

Open Close

This vagrant is too rarely reported to map distribution change.

Seasonality

Open Close

This species has been too rarely reported to BirdTrack during 2011–22 to properly assess seasonality.

Movement

Information about Nutcracker movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

Open Close

View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

European movements

Open Close

EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

The Eurasian-African Migration Atlas shows movements of individual birds ringed or recovered in Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Nutcracker, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Survival and Longevity

Open Close

Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Nutcracker

Classification and Codes

Open Close

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Scientific name: Nucifraga caryocatactes
Authority: Linnaeus, 1758

BTO 2-letter code: NC
BTO 5-letter code: NUTCR
Euring code number: 15570

Alternate species names

Open Close

Catalan: trencanous eurasiàtic
Czech: orešník kropenatý
Danish: Nøddekrige
Dutch: Notenkraker
Estonian: mänsak
Finnish: pähkinähakki
French: Cassenoix moucheté

German: Tannenhäher
Hungarian: fenyoszajkó
Icelandic: Hnotbrjótur
Italian: Nocciolaia
Latvian: riekstrozis
Lithuanian: paprastoji riešutine
Norwegian: Nøttekråke

Polish: orzechówka (zwyczajna)
Portuguese: quebra-nozes
Slovak: orešnica perlavá
Slovenian: krekovt
Spanish: Cascanueces norteño
Swedish: nötkråka
Welsh: Malwr Cnau

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

Find a Species

Search by common or scientific name

Or view the alphabetical list of UK bird species