Out
On A Limb / November 2005
Welcome Guests for Winter
By Mary Santer
Nuthatches are probably one of the easiest backyard birds to identify. The beautifully patterned White-Breasted nuthatch is the largest of the four species of nuthatches in North America. The dark eyes of the White-Breasted Nuthatch stand out against an unmarked white face. Their long bill is straight or slightly upturned. Males have a glossy black crown and nape and bluish-gray back; females and young birds are generally paler with a lead gray crown and nape. The red of the Red-Breasted Nuthatch is actually more rust-colored.
A bird creeping downward on a tree is a nuthatch. It’s the only species that can “walk down a tree.” It needs no tail support because it has incredibly strong feet!
Though generally not seen in yards, they are familiar visitors to bird feeders. Most nuthatches visit feeders in ones and twos. The plump, sparrow-sized nuthatches are a feisty and aggressive bird that will defend a territory of ten to thirty acres. The favorite foods of the nuthatch are seeds and insects found in trees, and many times they will hide seeds from feeders in tree bark for a snack later in the day or for breakfast the next morning.
Red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches are the most common visitors to feeders in North America. Nuthatches enjoy suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Red-Breasted Nuthatches are pickier than White-Breasted Nuthatches, and the preferred food is conifer seeds. During years when the seeds aren’t plentiful, Red-breasted Nuthatches will move south (or irrupt) in search of food. Overall, populations of White-breasted Nuthatches are increasing. This may be due to the popularity of backyard bird feeders, especially those that offer sunflower seeds, suet, peanut butter mix, cracked corn or millet.
To attract nuthatches to a backyard feeding station, try a suet or peanut feeder as well as a blend high in sunflower.
Mary Santer is the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Parkersburg. For more information, call (304) 485-9884 or email: sfml4wildbirds@aol.com.
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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