Look for Spotted Nutcrackers in coniferous forests, particularly those with pine, spruce, or hazel, often in mountainous regions or northern latitudes across Europe and Asia. They are typically found in areas rich in their primary food source, conifer seeds.

Listen for their distinctive harsh, grating calls, often described as 'kraak kraak' or 'krr-r-r-r', which can help locate them. Observe them foraging on the ground for cached seeds or perched in trees. Their overall dark brown plumage, profusely spotted with white, especially on the body, with black wings and a contrasting white undertail, makes them identifiable.

Spotted Nutcrackers are active during daylight hours, most visible in the early morning and late afternoon. As resident birds in most of their range, they can be observed year-round, with increased activity during the autumn caching season and the early spring breeding period.