White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
uses birdhouses
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uses bird feeders
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uses widlife trees
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FIELD MARKS
The male White-breasted Nuthatch has a bluish-grey back and rump. Its
central tail feathers are also bluish-grey; the rest of the tail feathers
are black with white tips and its under-tail coverts are rusty. The top
of its head and back of its neck are black. Female White-breasted Nuthatches
look similar except they are duller. This nuthatch has a long, thin, pointed
bill that is tilted slightly upwards. The sides of its head to above the
eyes, sides of its neck and underparts are white. This is the largest
species of nuthatch in our province. Approximate length: 13 cm
HABITAT
The White-breasted Nuthatch can mainly be found in mature deciduous forests
and also in mixed forests with some conifers (mostly Ponderosa pine).
It prefers forest edges, rivers or clearings. It may also be found in
some human influenced environments such as suburbs with large trees.
FOOD
The White-breasted Nuthatch often creeps down the truck and branches of
trees searching for insects and seeds. Nuthatches store food in crevices
of the bark for later use.
NESTING
The nesting pair usually stays together all year round and may even mate
for life. These nuthatches use natural cavities and old woodpecker holes
more often, rather than excavating their own cavities. The females build
the nests using feathers, moss, bark strips and plant fibres. The female
lays 3-7 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.
STATUS
Stable.
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