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White-breasted Nuthatch

(Sitta carolinensis)
Banded December 19, 1997 - Carmel, Indiana

General Information

The beautifully patterned White-breated Nuthatch is the largest of the four species of nuthatches that occurs in North America.

Resident over most of the USA and southern Canada, it prefers mature forested and open woodland habitat, and is usually found alone or in pairs. They readily visit backyard feeders where sunflower seeds, peanut butter mix, suet, seeds or berries are offered. Summer foods consist of insects and spiders.

It has an unusual behavior of creeping headfirst down tree trunks in search of insects and other foods. Foods may be eaten immediately or stored for the future.

The adult male has a glossy black forehead and crown. The back is blue-gray. Underparts are white.

Figure 1 - Adult Male
White-breasted Nuthatch

Figure 2 - Adult Male
White-breasted Nuthatch

The dark eyes of the White-breasted Nuthatch stand out against an unmarked white face. The long bill is straight or slightly upturned.

Note the contrast between the glossy black crown and nape and the bluish-gray back of this male bird. Females and young birds are generally paler with a lead gray crown and nape.

Figure 3 - Adult Male
White-breasted Nuthatch

Figure 4 - Upper Wing

The back is blue-gray. Nuthatches have 10 primary flight feathers. Flight feathers are blackish with grayish edging.

The underwing is grayish. Underwing coverts are black. The breast and belly are white with some rufous wash toward the legs.

Figure 5 - Under Wing

Figure 6 - Upper Tail

Tail feathers are black patterned with white bands. The central tail feathers are pale bluish-gray.

Undertail coverts are white marked with reddish orange.

Figure 7 - Undertail Coverts

Nesting Behavior

White-breasted nuthatches nest in natural cavities or abandoned woodpecker cavities. A single brood is raised during the breeding season. From 5 to 9 eggs are incubated by the female for up to two weeks. As part of its courtship, the male feeds it mate even during the incubation period. Young birds are fed by both parents, and leave the nest in 14 to 16 days or longer. Parent birds continue to feed the young birds for up to two weeks after they leave the nest.

Banding Recoveries

According to records at the Bird Banding Lab, a 71,582 White-breasted Nuthatches have been banded since 1955. Of these, 3,114 have been recovered, representing a recovery rate of 4.35%.  If you should recover a banded nuthatch, please report the band number to the Bird Banding Lab by calling 1-800-327-BAND.

Conservation Status

Overall, populations of White-breasted Nuthatches are increasing. This may be due to the popularity of backyard bird feeders, especially those that offer sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter mix, cracked corn or millet. It is important to provide natural cavities for these and other cavity nesting birds by allowing dead trees and branches to remain. In areas where natural cavities are scarce, artificial cavities such as nest boxes will enable cavity nesting birds to reproduce.

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