Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

      (Spruce/Fir (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Hemlock (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Upland Conifer (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Northern Hardwoods (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Upland Hardwoods (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Black Spruce (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Lowland Conifer (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or Treed Bog
   containing:
      (Snags or Living Cavity Trees)

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: Conifers appear to be an essential component of this nuthatch's breeding habitat, but foraging and nesting may also occur in deciduous trees. Often residents of bogs and spruce-fir forests, Red-breasted Nuthatches are just as likely to occur in mixed forests, particularly where hemlocks occur. The Atlas Habitat Survey showed that conifer forests were used with the same frequency as mixed forests in the northern LP, but Red-breasted Nuthatches appear to prefer mixed forests in the UP, mixed forests are not abundant in the southern LP, but scattered conifers may simulate suitable habitat.

As cavity nesters, Red-breasted Nuthatches may excavate soft wood from a rotting trunk or branch. Sometimes, birds occupy deserted woodpecker holes or rarely a nesting box. Curiously, the entrance to the nest is smeared with sticky pitch from a conifer.

Habitat: Breeding: Coniferous forests, sometimes in mixed woodlands. Wintering: Mainly coniferous forests but also frequents mixed woodlands with cone-bearing trees. Less often in deciduous woods (winter only).

Special Habitat Requirements: Coniferous woods, cavity for nesting in tree with minimum dbh of 12 inches.

Habitat: Conifer forests; in winter, also other trees. Nesting habitat almost always has many conifers, such as spruce, fir, hemlock, either in pure stands or mixed with deciduous trees. Mature forest preferred, perhaps because old decaying wood is needed for nest sites. In migration and winter may appear in any wooded habitat, but always chooses conifers if available.

Diet: Includes both insects and seeds. Feeds mainly on insects and spiders in summer; in winter, eats many seeds, especially those of conifers. Young are fed mostly or entirely on insects and spiders.

Nest: Both sexes excavate nest cavity in rotten stub or snag, usually 5-40 feet above ground, rarely much higher. Rarely use old woodpecker holes or birdhouses. Sticky pitch is smeared around entrance to nest hole; this may prevent other creatures from entering. Adults avoid getting stuck in pitch by flying straight into the hole. Nest in cavity made of soft grass, moss, bark fibers, feathers.

Migration: Winter range varies tremendously form year to year, especially in east. Big southward invasions occur in fall of some years, perhaps mainly when cone crops are very poor in the northern forest. In years with good food supply, may remain all winter on nesting territory.