This Red-breasted Nuthatch was part of a small flock busily feeding in an evergreen tree in the old campground next to the Bay Trail on October 15th. Notice the bird’s legs in the first two photos. It looks like it is standing on long stick-like legs, which is an illusion.
They move quickly up, down and around coniferous tree branches probing for food. Their constant movement, often in the interior of a tree canopy, makes them difficult to spot, with their song being the only clue that they are nearby.
In the summer they eat insects, caterpillars, beetles, spiders, and the like. In the fall and winter they eat conifer seeds.
Above is the tree in the old campground at Alameda Point where the nuthatches were feeding. The Bay Trail is on the far side of the tree.
Alameda Point Environmental Report 