Name: White-Breasted Nuthatch

Description: The non-migratory White-Breasted Nuthatch can be seen hopping headfirst down the trunks of trees in search of insect food. It frequents bird feeders and takes sunflower seeds off to the side of a tree, where it wedges them into a crevice and hammers them open. It resides in deciduous forests from southern Canada southward to northern Florida and southern Mexico. Though it looks similar to a Chickadee, the White-Breasted Nuthatch has a shorter tail and a longer bill. While both will hang upside down to get at food, only the White-Breasted Nuthatch creeps along the sides of trunk and branches.

Other Names: Upside Down Bird, White-Breasted Nuthatcher

Color: The White-Breasted Nuthatch is bluish-gray above and white on its upper parts. It has a dark gray (female) or black (male) cap, a bright white face and under parts, blue-gray upper parts and a long bill. The White-Breasted Nuthatch has a short tail with black outer tail feathers and a white band. The under-tail coverts and sides are rust-colored, while its eyes black and its feet gray.

Sound: The White-Breasted Nuthatch’s song is a series of soft, slightly nasal “what, what, what” notes. Its call is a soft “yank.”

Preferred Environment: The White-Breasted Nuthatch can be found in mature deciduous forests and woods, especially near openings and edges, as well as in parks and suburbs where there are large trees.

Nesting Habits: The White-Breasted Nuthatch builds its nest in tree cavities. It sometimes nests in nesting holes made by other birds or in nesting boxes put out for them. It lines the nest with fur, fine grass and shredded bark.

Food Preference: The White-Breasted Nuthatch feeds on sunflower, safflower, corn and suet.