White-breasted Nuthatch - Photos by Bruce Dayton - White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Sittidae (Nuthatches - 4 Species)
SPECIES: White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

White-breasted Nuthatch
The White-breasted Nuthatch are well-known for descending a tree trunk head first, a behavior unique to them. there are only four members of the nuthatch family that reside in North America, the white-breasted, red-breasted, brown-headed and pygmy nuthatches.
SIZE	The White-breasted Nuthatch is a sparrow-sized (5-6") song bird.
DESCRIPTION	They have a black crown and nape with the face and the underparts being white. They have short legs with long claws, short wings and a short tail. Sexes are similar, but the male's cap is usually blacker.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 3-10 eggs, which are incubated in 12 to 14 days. They nest in a tree cavity, either natural or an old abandoned woodpecker hole. The floor of the cavity may contain bark chips, on which a cup-shaped nest is built, lined with hair and feathers.
RANGE	The White-breasted Nuthatch ranges most of the United States.
HABITAT	Typically they habitat mature deciduous forests; also mixed woodlands, they prefer forest edges or open woodlands.
DIET	The White-breasted Nuthatch creeps headfirst down tree trunks searching for insects. In the winter it is a frequent visitor to bird feeders looking for sunflower seeds.

INTERESTING FACTS

Nest Lining

The innermost layer of the nest. The eggs rest on the nest lining and it is usually made of finer material than the rest of the structure. Feathers, hair and soft plant parts are used for the lining. Linings are used more frequently by the smaller, delicate birds.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




White-breasted Nuthatch

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Seneca County, New York


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White-breasted Nuthatch Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes