Sitta carolinensis
- The white-breasted Nuthatch (6" long) is most often seen scurrying jerkily down a tree headfirst, looking for insects.
- Diet also includes nuts and seeds, which it may store in crevices.
- At feeders it enjoys sunflower seeds and suet.
- You may notice it aggressively keeping other birds at bay — swaying from side to side with wings outspread.
- The male sings from a exposed perch.
- When the female approaches, he displays by bowing with each note.
- They nest in a hole of a tree.
Identification:
- Adults have blue-gray backs, whitish faces and under parts, and varying amounts of chestnut on the flanks.
- Other than the Southeast the crown and nape color can distinguish the sexes, glossy black in males and gray or dull black in females.
Habitat:
- Deciduous and mixed woodlands, backyard feeders.
Voice:
- The males song is a vibrant series of nasal notes sounding like hey-hey-hey-hey-hey.
- Song may be heard from midwinter through spring.
- Common call is a load, nasal ank, given singly, in pair.
- Rapid series indicates alarm or excitement.
- Soft ip or ik notes are used as intimate contact calls as the move about together.
Range:
- Resident year-round throughout the United States, excluding Florida, Texas and dessert regions.
