Seeing it pacing the tree trunks, the white-breasted nuthatch gives the impression of thinking it’s a woodpecker, a tiny woodpecker measuring around twelve centimeters. Often walking up and down, she examines every crevice, peeling the bark feverishly, with her head upside down, even more so when she meticulously explores the underside of large branches in search of appetizing critters.
Even more, it wedges each seed in a crevice to dissect it with its sharp beak in order to extract the heart. Then, still with the same agitation, she moves on to another tree. Singular behavior.
Unlike much of the bird fauna, it is also vocal all year round, even when searching for food, but becomes more discreet during the breeding season, caution required. Moreover, the word discreet suits him quite well.
PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Males and females have the same plumage in the white-breasted nuthatch and their behaviors are almost identical.
United for life
The white-breasted nuthatch is part of this small group of birds that are expanding in Quebec. Over recent decades, its numbers, all concentrated in the south of the province, have increased by 50%, we learn from the latest Atlas of breeding birds of Quebec. This is particularly the case in the greater metropolitan region, where it would be particularly abundant. So we should not be surprised to see it feeding at our feeders during the winter in the company of black-capped chickadees, American goldfinches, dark-eyed juncos and other feathered birds that share the cold season with us. Although she comes and goes a lot, she never lingers long at the table. As soon as seen, as soon as disappeared.
Widespread in southern Canada, the United States and a large part of Mexico, the white-breasted nuthatch favors mixed and open forests and woodlands, an environment that often corresponds to our suburbs.
Absent from the boreal forest, occupied by its cousin the red-breasted nuthatch, it jealously watches over its territory.
The white-breasted nuthatch is not gregarious. Her married life is well-ordered. Monogamous, the couple remains united throughout life, an existence which however never lasts very long in these small birds, even if there is a longevity record of almost 10 years.
NATUREFANS PHOTO, FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The white-breasted nuthatch’s nest is usually dug in the crevice of a tree or installed in an old woodpecker hole.
Make a separate room
Each year at breeding time, the male brings food to once again woo his mate who will see to the nest preparations. She will brood alone, but the gentleman will regularly serve her meals during this period, sometimes six or seven courses an hour. After hatching, he will begin to feed the six or seven little ones that will make up the offspring. The often back-breaking chore will usually continue for a good fortnight after the kids have left the nest.
As united as they are, the couple lives in separate rooms. In winter, everyone finds refuge in separate cavities in a large tree to protect themselves from the cold. Located near the winter feeding territory, the male’s shelter, sometimes a woodpecker hole, will eventually serve as a future nest.
PHOTO ALLAN SCHMIERE, FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The white-breasted nuthatch regularly frequents our feeders in winter. She appreciates tallow, but also corn and sunflower seeds, which she often hastens to store in caches.
In your birdhouse
The nuthatch’s summer diet consists of insects in various forms; in winter, dried fruits or seeds serve as a menu. At the feeders, she appreciates suet and especially sunflower seeds, which she often hastens to hide in various crevices. Each cache is only used for one occasion and has only one vegetable or animal dish. The little treasure is also meticulously covered with wood shavings, moss lichen or even snow to avoid thieves.
As is the case with most birds, the life of the white-breasted nuthatch is not easy. If predation remains a little studied area in this species, we know that squirrels and probably several raptors including the Cooper’s hawk, very active near feeders, include it on their menu from time to time. Furthermore, despite its furtive behavior, the nuthatch can even come and eat from your hand if you are patient. Better yet, if you give her a nest box, she might raise her family in it, as has been happening in my home for the past two years.
Listen to the song and call of the white-breasted nuthatch