White Breasted Nuthatch
The largest of nuthatches, the White Breasted Nuthatch, is still a small bird, no longer than five to six inches in length, a ten inch wingspan and a short tail and a long narrow pointed bill.
These birds are active and agile, feeding mainly on insects and seeds. Nuthatches are often observed creeping along the trunks and branches of trees probing into the bark for food. Like other nuthatches, they often probe upside down and sideways on vertical surfaces as they forage. This ability is due to their extra long hind claws, (as depicted in the accompanied photo), giving them the superb balance. Their common name is derived from the habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then striking them with their bill to “hatch” out the seeds inside.
The White Breasted Nuthatch is a non-migratory bird occurring across southern Canada, most of the United States to northern Mexico. Their habitat is a preference of mixed woodland areas, with hollow oak trees for nesting.
