White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
Summary
White-breasted nuthatches range across much of North America, including most of the U.S. and all of Pennsylvania. One of two nuthatch species found in the state, white-breasted nuthatches are more commonly seen at birdfeeders and in urban habitats like the SBG than the red-breasted nuthatch.
Learn more about the white-breasted nuthatch here.
More Details
FAMILY
Sittidae (Nuthatches)
IDENTIFICATION
These perky little birds have white undersides and faces, blue-gray upperparts, and dark gray or black crowns. They have a long, thin, distinctly pointed bill, and are often noted for their unique habit of perching upside down on tree trunks.
HABITAT
White-breasted Nuthatches are found in mature forests, open woodlands, and other open areas with large trees including parks and yards, and are more likely to be found in deciduous rather than coniferous forest.
DIET
Omnivorous, but the diet varies by season. They feed exclusively on arthropods during the summer and mostly on seeds during the winter.
Ecosystem Connections
Nuthatches are common members of mixed-species flocks, and seem to benefit from joining flocks led by chickadees and titmice.
If you have a bird feeder, you’ve likely seen a white-breasted nuthatch making frequent, short visits to grab seeds and cache them for later. They usually wedge cached seeds into furrows in tree bark.
Nuthatches are secondary cavity nesters, relying on cavities that have already been cleared out by other species to use for nest construction.