Bird Photos
Species Accounts
Conservation Issues
| |
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
Banded November 10, 1997 - Carmel, Indiana
General Information
The petite Red-breasted Nuthatch is the most migratory of the four species of
Nuthatches that occur in North America. It is a bird of coniferous forests of Canada and
the mountainous regions of the USA. Its distinctive call is nasal and relatively high
pitched. Periodic winter irruptions occur during periods of poor conifer seed crops. At
these times, these nuthatches extend their range southward across the USA.
|
This is the only North American nuthatch that
shows a white stripe above the eye and a black stripe through the eye. Note the contrast
between the blackish crown and eyestripe and the bluish-gray back. |
Figure 1 - Red-breasted Nuthatch
|
Figure 2 - Red-breasted Nuthatch Crown
|
In males, the black or dull black crown and
eyestripe contrasts with the bluish- gray back. In adult females and immatures, the crown
is duller than the eye stripe, and may show little or no contrast with the back. Cheeks,
throat and eyestripe are whitish. The breast and underparts are buff to orange,
distinguishing this species from other North American nuthatches.
|
Diet includes insects in the summer, and
seeds, especially conifer seeds, in the winter. It is relatively tame, and readily visits
feeders for sunflower seeds and suet. |
Figure 3 - Red-breasted Nuthatch
|
Figure 4 - Red-breasted Nuthatch
|
The back is bluish-gray. In some young birds,
the feathers on the back may be edged with black. |
Nuthatches have 10 primary flight feathers,
the 10th (upper central in this photo) is much smaller than the other nine. |
Figure 5 - Primary Flight Feathers
|
Figure 6 - Underwing and Flank
|
The underside ranges from buffy white to
cinnamon. Female and juvenile underparts are usually paler than that of the adult male. |
The short tail is characterized by white
subterminal bands and dark tips on the outer tail feathers.
|
Figure 7 - Back and Tail
|
Figure 8 - Undertail Coverts
|
Undertail coverts show an orange color.
|
Outer tail feathers are characterized by dark
tips and white subterminal bands.
|
Figure 9 - White On Outer Tail Feathers
|
Nesting Behavior
Sexes are distinct. Red-breasted Nuthatches are cavity nesters. They prefer standing
dead trees, and a mated pair usually excavate their own cavity in a dead conifer of
deciduous hardwood. The area around the entrance is smeared with resin, probably to
discourage predators.
Banding Recoveries
According to records at the Bird Banding Lab, a total of 42,169 Red-breasted Nuthatches
have been banded since 1955. Of these, 138 have been recovered, a recovery rate of 0.327%.
Conservation Status
Census data shows that populations of Red-breasted Nuthatches are increasing overall,
but declines are occurring in some regions of its range. Its dependence on standing dead
trees for nest cavities makes populations vulnerable where dead vegetation and snags are
removed. The popularity of backyard bird feeding and placement of bird houses will benefit
local populations of this species.
Back to Top | Back to Bird
Photos Menu
All images are courtesy of CWBO. All image copyrights are owned by CWBO.
Any use of these images must have permission of CWBO. |
|
