Red-breasted Nuthatch

The Red-breasted Nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, is a diminutive songbird with a striking appearance. Adults boast blue-grey upperparts contrasted by cinnamon underparts, a white throat, and a face marked by a black stripe through the eyes. A straight grey bill and a black crown complete their distinctive profile.

Identification Tips

When observing these birds, look for their bluish back and uppertail, rust-colored underparts, and the black cap and eye line that set off the white supercilium. Both sexes share a similar plumage, though females and juveniles may present with slightly duller heads and paler underparts.

Habitat

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a steadfast resident of northern and subalpine coniferous forests, though it may venture further afield during irruptive migrations.

Distribution

This species breeds across Canada, Alaska, and the northeastern and western United States. It may irrupt southward to the Gulf Coast and northern Mexico. Its range is expanding in the eastern United States, and while it was once found on Isla Guadalupe off Mexico's western coast, it has not been recorded there since 1971.

Behaviour

This nuthatch is known for its acrobatic foraging, often descending head first on tree trunks and branches. It may forage alone or in pairs, and unlike some tree-climbing birds, it does not use its tail as a prop.

Song & Calls

The call of the Red-breasted Nuthatch is a high-pitched, nasal sound, reminiscent of a tin trumpet or a child's noisemaker. Its song consists of a series of clear, nasal, rising notes.

Breeding

Monogamous by nature, the male performs a unique courtship display. Both sexes participate in nest excavation, which is often lined with grass, moss, and other soft materials. The female lays 2-8 speckled eggs, with incubation lasting around 12-13 days.

Diet and Feeding

Insects are the mainstay of their summer diet, while in winter, they switch to conifer seeds. At feeders, they enjoy sunflower seeds, peanut butter, and suet, often using bark crevices to help break up food.

Conservation status

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its large range and increasing population. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 in the Americas.