The name “nuthatch” refers to the habit of some members of this species to wedge a large insect or seed in a crack and hack at it with their strong bills.
White-breasted Nuthatches are found all over eastern North America and to about Sudbury in Ontario.
Red-breasted Nuthatches extend further north and are common in the boreal forest to as far north as James Bay.
White-breasted Nuthatches frequent bird feeders in all seasons of the year:
As a child, I remember seeing my grandfather toss peanut pieces in the air where they were seized in mid air by White-breasted Nuthatches.
Their habit of clinging to tree bark with head pointed down is characteristic:
This morning we were visited by a White-breast:
Other birds:
Species list: mallard, wood duck, Cooper’s hawk, rock pigeon, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, American robin, yellow-rumped warbler, house sparrow, common grackle, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, white-throated sparrow. (18 species)
Other life:
Park scenes:
Today’s group:
Some botany:
NATURE POETRY
Sing a song of seasons,
Something bright in all,
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall. – Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94)
Miles Hearn