Speckled nutcracker

The Spotted Nutcracker is a species of passerine bird in the Corvidae family, like crows. A mountain corvid, a discerning gourmet and remarkable gardener of mountain forests, frequenting the subalpine zones of Europe and Asia.

It is easily recognizable by its dark brown plumage speckled with white, forming small drops. These spots are more densely packed on the head, where they create a light mask contrasting with the dark crown and powerful beak. Fond of hazelnuts and especially conifer seeds, it owes its name to this specialization. This ingenious bird thus creates veritable caches, some of which it leaves behind, thereby contributing to forest regeneration.