White-breasted Nuthatch
A species of Nuthatches, Also known as Devil Downhead Scientific name : Sitta carolinensis Genus : Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch, A species of Nuthatches
Also known as:
Devil Downhead
Botanical name: Sitta carolinensis
Genus: Nuthatches
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Description
The white-breasted Nuthatch is the largest nuthatch in North America, but it's still a relatively small bird. It's a monogamous species and the pair usually nests in tree cavities. The white-breasted Nuthatch prefers old deciduous woodlands. When in search of food, it creeps along the trees up and down, relying on its strong legs, rather than using a tail for additional support like woodpeckers do.
Size
13 - 15 cm
Life Expectancy
10 years
Nest Placement
Cavity
Clutch Size
5 - 9 eggs
Incubation Period
1 brood
Number of Broods
13 - 14 days
Nestling Period
26 days
Feeding Habits
White-breasted Nuthatch predominantly consume insects like larvae, beetles, tree hoppers, ants, and spiders, and eat seeds and nuts, including acorns and sunflower seeds. During winter, seeds comprise almost 70% of their diet; insects are favored in summer. They also feed on peanuts, suet, and peanut butter at birdfeeders.
Habitat
White-breasted Nuthatch is typically found in mature woodlands, favoring deciduous forests over coniferous ones across its range, though it coexists alongside conifers in the western part of its range. This species adapts well to various altitudes, inhabiting lowland orchards, parks, and suburban gardens in the east and ascending to 5,495 ft in Tennessee. In the western United States and Mexico, white-breasted Nuthatch frequents open montane pine-oak woodlands and can nest at elevations as high as 10,500 ft in regions like Nevada, California, and Mexico. Furthermore, white-breasted Nuthatch thrives at woodland edges and in human-altered landscapes with significant tree presence, such as wooded suburbs and yards.
Nest Behavior
The female white-breasted Nuthatch solely constructs the nest. Nesting includes reusing existing holes, sometimes previously used by them, and breeding involves laying eggs once a year in the spring and both parents caring for the young.
Nest Characteristics
White-breasted Nuthatch nests in tree cavities or old woodpecker holes in both deciduous and coniferous trees, occasionally using nest boxes. They line their nests with fur, bark, dirt, and construct a soft cup with grass, feathers, and shredded bark.
Dite type
Insectivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
Hulled Sunflower Seeds
Safflower
Suet
Peanuts
Peanut Hearts
Mealworms
Bird Feeder Type
Large Tube Feeder
Small Tube Feeder
Suet Cage
Large Hopper
Small Hopper
Platform
Sounds
Call
Recording location: United States
Call
Recording location: United States
Call
Recording location: United States
Behavior
White-breasted Nuthatch exhibit a fascinating foraging behavior, meticulously scaling tree bark in all directions as they search for their next meal. High in the canopy, they often initiate a descent, navigating headfirst with remarkable agility. As they pause to survey their surroundings, white-breasted Nuthatch will deftly probe into crevices or prize away layers of wood with the intent to uncover food. Upon discovering seeds or nuts, they skillfully secure them into bark, utilizing it as an anvil to break open their prize. These birds are known for their food caching habits, storing sustenance one item at a time under loose bark within their domain and cleverly concealing it. Pair bonding is strong and territorial behavior is marked, as white-breasted Nuthatch form year-long partnerships and vigorously defend their area. Their social dynamics include body language signals, such as tail fanning, wing flicking, and feather-raising in response to stress or confrontation. During the colder months, white-breasted Nuthatch often integrate with mixed-species flocks, including chickadees and woodpeckers, enhancing their foraging success and predator awareness.
Distribution Area
The breeding habitat of the white-breasted nuthatch is woodland across North America, from southern Canada to northern Florida and southern Mexico. There may be more noticeable dispersal due to seed failure or high reproductive success in some years, and this species has occurred as a vagrant to Vancouver Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Bermuda. 
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Nuthatches Genus
Nuthatches Species
White-breasted Nuthatch 
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