Nuthatches are goofy birds that move along tree trunks and branches looking for food. There are four species of nuthatches that live in the United States and three of them can be found in Oregon. Here is everything you need to know about these three species.
Pygmy Nuthatch
Identification
True to their name, Pygmy Nuthatches are a small and stubby looking bird with a blueish-gray back and wings, tan underside, and brown cap. They have a darker brown line over their eye.
Range
Pygmy Nuthatches live in specific pockets of suitable habitat in Mexico and the western half of the continental United States. Their range also includes a small part of southwestern Canada.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Pygmy Nuthatches search bark and clusters of conifer needles for small invertebrates including insects and spiders. They will also eat seeds and are known to come to bird feeders. These energetic birds will cache seeds in crevices to save for later and feed very acrobatically, always hopping around and often making their squeaky call.
Where to Find This Bird
Pygmy Nuthatches can be found in conifer forests, particularly forests with tall Ponderosa Pines. These birds often forage in groups and can be seen in flight going from tree to tree.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Identification
Red-breasted Nuthatches are personable and energetic birds with blueish gray backs, rusty orange undersides, and white heads with black stripes. Males have slightly more striking colors than females, but both have the same general patterns and colors.
Range
Red-breasted Nuthatches live year-round in the northern forests of North America including the southwestern portion of Alaska, much of Canada, and parts of the Northern, Eastern, and Western United States. As early as July, Red-breasted Nuthatches start making their way south for the winter. They can end up as far south as Texas and Louisiana depending on the year.
Diet and Foraging Habits
Red-breasted Nuthatches eat insects and other invertebrates like spiders when they are available. In times of the year when insects are not around, these birds eat conifer seeds. They will also visit bird feeders and take seeds to either eat in a nearby tree or save for later.
Where to Find This Bird
Red-breasted Nuthatches are birds of conifer forests and can usually be found in locations with healthy cone crops. They will also visit bird feeders where they show up momentarily and are gone just as fast as they came in.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Identification
White-breasted Nuthatches have a blueish gray back and wings, white face and underside, and black back of the neck and top of the head. They have rust color on their underside near the tail.
Range
White-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents of most states i the United States with only just a few regions such as South Texas not playing host to this species. They also live in southern Canada and much of Mexico with the exception of the coasts.
Diet and Foraging Habits
White-breasted Nuthatches eat primarily insects and other invertebrates. Much of the time they find such food items by climbing up and down branches and tree trunks and investigating each crevice in the bark. This species will also eat seeds, and even things such as suet and peanut butter. They are a common sight at bird feeders where they will take a seed and fly off to eat it or cache it for later.
Where to Find This Bird
White-breasted Nuthatches are a common species in deciduous forests. They also live in edge habitat and in parks and backyards. White-breasted Nuthatches are seen often at bird feeders and usually only stay for a short time to take food and leave, returning frequently to repeat this routine.
Summary
Nuthatches are goofy and entertaining species that are very fun to watch. They are commonly encountered birds due to their propensity for visiting bird feeders. They are certainly a species worth knowing since you are certain to run into them while out in the field.
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