redbreasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 4 inches

• Straight gray bill

• Black crown and eyeline with white supercilium

• White lower face and throat

• Blue-gray upperparts

• Reddish underparts

• Short tail

• Sexes similar but female duller

• Feeds by hopping along tree trunks and branches often hanging up-side     down

• Most often found in pine trees

Similar species:

Because of its unique feeding strategy, the red-breasted nuthatch is most
likely to confused with other nuthatches. White-breasted nuthatch lacks a
black eyeline and has mostly white underparts. Brown-headed and pygmy
nuthatches have brown caps, white patches on the nape and lack the eye-
lines.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status:Short distance migrant
Breeding Habitat:Woodland
Nest Location:Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type:Cavity
Clutch Size:4-7
Length of Incubation: 12 days
Days to Fledge:14-21
Number of Broods:?
Diet: Almost exclusively insects and seeds

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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