Sitta carolinensis
adult
The White-breasted Nuthatch is the largest bird of its kind in the region. The sexes can be separated if seen together. Adult males have a blue-gray back and wings, with contrasting dark centers and pale edges to the tertials and wing coverts. The white face and throat contrast with the black nape and crown. The underparts are otherwise very pale gray, flushed rufous and white on the undertail. Adult females are similar but the crown and nape are dark gray. Geographical variation occurs across the species’ range, represented by several subspecies. Eastern populations have paler gray backs and show more contrast in the wing markings than those from the west. Juveniles are similar to their respective adults but the wing feathers have buff fringes.
The White-breasted Nuthatch is present year-round across its extensive North American range, although it occasionally wanders in winter in response to food shortages. It is a regular visitor to garden feeders and sometimes joins roving mixed-species flocks of songbirds outside the breeding season.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.75 in (14.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates and seeds
HABITAT Deciduous and mixed woodland
STATUS Widespread and common resident
VOICE Song is a series of nasal, whistling notes. Call is a nasal nYen
