Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch (upper) and Red-breasted Nuthatch (lower)
Nuthatches cling to the bark and can move in any direction, often hanging head down.
White-breasted Nuthatch (upper) and Red-breasted Nuthatch (lower)
Nuthatches cling to the bark and can move in any direction, often hanging head down.
■ Both of these species nest in cavities in trees, but rarely use birdhouses. The female builds a grassy nest inside the cavity, and Red-breasted Nuthatches then “paint” the entrance hole with sap that they carry from pine, spruce, or fir trees using either their bill or a small bit of bark as a paintbrush. The nuthatches are expert at diving through the hole without getting stuck, but the sticky resin deters squirrels and other birds from entering. White-breasted Nuthatches engage in a similar behavior, sweeping or wiping the outside of the nest hole with bark strips, leaves, or crushed insects. Presumably these have a strong odor that either masks the birds’ smell or repels predators, but the true function is unknown.
White-breasted Nuthatch applying scent to the entrance to its nest
■ The climbing style of nuthatches is very different from that of woodpeckers. They do not use their tail for a brace when climbing—just their two feet clinging with sharp claws. The hind toe is particularly important for clinging, and it’s relatively large and strong. Usually they position one foot above the other so that the lower foot acts as a brace while the upper foot clings to the bark. This allows them to move easily up or down the trunk and at all angles on branches.
A White-breasted Nuthatch climbing
■ When threatened by an intruder such as a squirrel, nuthatches often stand their ground, spreading both wings and swaying back and forth. This makes them look larger and also reveals an unusual dark and light pattern at the wrist that might suggest a face. The bluff often works: the intruder leaves, and the nuthatch goes back to its business.
White-breasted Nuthatch threat display
■ Male and female White-breasted Nuthatches are quite similar in every way. Usually the only way we can tell them apart is by the color of the crown. The male has a shiny black crown, while the female’s is gray.
Female (top) and male (bottom) White-breasted Nuthatch