Nuthatches

In northern Illinois, it is still winter, and we have enjoyed watching various birds at our backyard feeders,  including nuthatches.  There are four species native to North America and about two dozen more found world-wide.  Taxonomists have moved several species back & forth between genera in recent years, making the exact number of species vary from time to time.  The name is from an English reference to the behavior of wedging a nut into a crevice and pecking at it until the inner portion is hatched and can be eaten.

White-breasted nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis by Mdf, Dec 2005; Pygmy nuthatch, Sitta pygmaea by Len Blumin, Mar 2006; Brown-headed nuthatch, Sitta pusilla by Anne Davis, Nov 2013; Red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis by Katie Herr, Dec 2013

Nuthatches have short tails and legs, compact wings, powerful bills, and strong claws.  Nuthatch species have similar markings including varying hues of grayish-blue wings, black caps, a white throat, and light colored white-buff-reddish bellies.  In most species, a dark eye-stripe and white cheeks frame each side of the face.  Males and females are hard to distinguish, although males may have darker hues on their bellies. 

White-breasted nuthatches, Sitta carolinensis, stand 5″ tall with a white face completely surrounding the eyes.  They range from southern Canada to Mexico.  Red-breasted nuthatches, Sitta canadensis, have a white face and neck and range from southern Canada to the central U.S.  Brown-headed nuthatches, Sitta pusilla, have a white belly and cheeks with a white spot at the nape of the neck.  They are found in the pine forests of the southeast U.S.  Pygmy nuthatches, Sitta pygmaea, characterized by a white spot under their eyes, are found west of the Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to central Mexico.

Nuthatches are the only birds that can walk head first down a tree trunk, allowing them to forage up or down a tree trunk, seeing insects in crevices missed going the other way.  They are comfortable eating while hanging upside down, as are woodpeckers; however, the nuthatch does not use its tail for support relying solely on the strength of its feet.  They eat insects and invertebrates when available, but will readily feed on seeds, peanut butter, and suet in colder periods.  Food items are often cached in crevices in trees and then covered by lichen or bits of bark.

Nuthatches prefer open woodlands near sea level in temperate climates.  In warmer southern regions, they live at slightly higher elevations.  They use abandoned woodpecker holes or natural cavities in trees for nesting.  Inside, they build a small cup from twigs, lined with soft material for their eggs.  Entrances may be protected in a variety of ways.  Red-breasted nuthatches collect pine resin to line the rim of the nest hole and avoid it themselves by diving straight into the hole.  White-breasted nuthatches often crush blister beetles and rub the remains around the rim, using the foul smell to deter potential predators.

Nuthatches are one of only a few animals that use tools.  A small piece of bark is often used by red-breasted nuthatches to apply resin to the nest entrance.  Bark splinters are also used by brown-headed nuthatches to pry up bark on tree trunks and extract the insects underneath.  If the tool performs well, the bird will carry it from place to place.  Pygmy nuthatches live in large, extended family groups with other relatives often helping to care for younger birds.  They nest in large family groups, huddling together for warmth on cold nights.  Red-breasted nuthatch irruptions are common in the central U.S. when the weather turns harsh in Canadian boreal forests, making it difficult to find enough food.

Nuthatches are a favorite species at backyard bird feeders.  They will turn up daily for seeds, nuts, peanut butter, and suet, and are entertaining as they flit in and out, taking food items away to cache in nearby trees or other crevices.

Listen to additional calls and songs for each species at the following sites:  White-breasted nuthatch: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Sitta-carolinensis Red-breasted nuthatch: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Sitta-canadensis Brown-headed nuthatch: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Sitta-pusilla Pygmy nuthatch: https://xeno-canto.org/species/Sitta-pygmaea