Bird of the Month: White-breasted Nuthatch

Our September bird of the month, the White-breasted Nuthatch, is the most numerous nuthatch species in Minnesota, but it’s not the only nuthatch around. Worldwide there are over two dozen species of nuthatch, four species in North America, and two here in Minnesota (red-breasted and white-breasted). We will be referring to the white-breasted variety when mentioning “nuthatches” in this article.

Nuthatches are common backyard birds for many, and they reside in Minnesota all year long. Nuthatches are monogamous and a male/female pair defend their territory throughout the year. While out foraging, the pair will rarely stray far from each other and stay in constant vocal contact if they are further than a few yards apart.

Male and female nuthatches look very similar to each other, but the male will have a dark black cap and nape of his neck (pictured below). The female will have a lighter shade of gray cap and nape (pictured right). Juveniles will look more like mom until they grow their adult plumage.

During the winter months nuthatches will often forage together with other birds such as chickadees, titmice, and Downy Woodpeckers. These groups are referred to as a “foraging guild”.

Although these birds are competing for many of the same food sources, they recognize the alarm calls of the other species and can thus relax and lower their own level of alertness. They can then concentrate on finding food while relying on the vigilance of the group to watch for predators and other threats. A study determined that nuthatches are bolder and braver when foraging with other birds than when they are foraging alone or in pairs.

    

When foraging for natural foods nuthatches eat mainly insects and insect larvae including beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders. They eat naturally found seeds and nuts, but will readily visit bird feeders for sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet.

White-breasted Nuthatches are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they typically build their nests in an abandoned woodpecker hole or in a natural tree cavity. Although they sometimes enlarge the entrance hole on their own, they rarely excavate the entire site themselves (Red-breasted Nuthatches often do excavate their own cavities).

Most cavity nesting birds prefer an entrance hole that’s only as large as needed for that species to fit through, but White-breasted Nuthatches are just as likely to use a cavity with a hole larger than they are. Nuthatches are also known to take up residence in man-made nesting boxes.

The female builds the nest inside of the cavity on her own, lining it with bark and fur. On top of that, she will build a cup made of fine grass, feathers, and other soft materials. Nuthatches only have one clutch of eggs a year, but it’s not uncommon for them to reuse a nest site in subsequent years.

Nuthatches can often be identified from a distance simply from their behavior. They forage on tree trunks in all directions, but they’re often seen walking down trees headfirst looking for insects that other foraging birds miss as they move upwards on the tree. Keep an eye on your feeders and tree trunks to get a glimpse of these wonderful year-round backyard visitors!

Share your photos of White-breasted Nuthatches in nature with us in-store or on our Facebook or Instagram pages!