Nuthatches

White-breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches are little acrobats, climbing head first down the trunk of a tree. They use the tree to collect acorns or nuts but they also use it as a tool. After locating a meaty nut—or grabbing a seed from a backyard feeder—they'll wedge the goodie into a crevice and pound it open with several blows.

In fact, the name "nuthatch" comes from the Middle English word "nuthak," referring to the bird's technique of hacking at a tree to break open the treat.

Their ability to climb down trees head first is accomplished by an extra long back toe claw. While hopping down from the tree, they look for insects or insect eggs that other birds miss when they climb up the tree.

In our area, we mostly see White-breasted or Red-breasted nuthatches. Several other species are found elsewhere across much of the Northern Hemisphere. 

The White-breasted Nuthatch is 5 to 6 inches long, with a slate gray back, white face and white belly. The black cap and nape adds contrast. There is some chestnut color on the undertail.

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is 4.5 inches long, with a gray back, black cap and obvious black eye line. The breast and belly are rust-colored.

Habitats differ between White-breasted and Red-breasted nuthatches. The Red-breasted lives mostly in forests of spruces, fir, pine, hemlock and western red cedar, however eastern populations will use deciduous forests. 

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Nuthatches are monogamous. A pair of male and female Red-breasted Nuthatches work together to excavate cavities for nests. They are aggressive, chasing other cavity dwellers away. They also collect resin globules from evergreen trees and plaster them around the nest hole. This may help keep out predators or competition. To avoid the resin themselves, the nuthatch dives directly through the hole.

White-breasted Nuthatches typically build their nests in natural tree cavities or in abandoned woodpecker holes. They may enlarge the holes but rarely excavate them entirely as the Red-breasted Nuthatch does. Unlike the Red-breasted Nuthatch, the White-breasted species will use a bird house.

Their songs are somewhat similar. The White-breasted Nuthatch's is a rapid, nasal "whi-whi-whi-whi" of six to 12 nearly identical notes lasting 2 or 3 seconds. The Red-breasted Nuthatch's call is a fast series of nasal, hornlike "yank-yank" that can be repeated up to 16 times per minute.

As cold weather approaches in the fall, White-breasted Nuthatches will join chickadees or Tufted Titmice in foraging at bird feeders—it's easier than trying to find seeds in nature. The nuthatch will store the seeds in the furrows of the bark of the tree to eat later in the winter. Unfortunately squirrels sometimes take note of the nuthatch's diligence and grab seeds right after they've been wedged them into place.

We find nuthatches fun to watch at either the seed feeder or the peanut feeder. They enjoy sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet. Try smearing "Wildlife Peanut Butter," a special brand available at The Bird House, on tree bark for nuthatches to eat.