The red-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird. The adult has blue-grey upperparts with cinnamon underparts, a white throat and face with a black stripe through the eyes, a straight grey bill and a black crown. Its call, which has been likened to a tin trumpet, is high-pitched and nasal. It breeds in coniferous forests across Canada, Alaska and the northeastern and western United States. Though often a permanent resident, it regularly irrupts further south if its food supply fails. There are records of vagrants occurring as far south as the Gulf Coast and northern Mexico. It forages on the trunks and large branches of trees, often descending head first, sometimes catching insects in flight. It eats mainly insects and seeds, especially from conifers. It excavates its nest in dead wood, often close to the ground, smearing the entrance with pitch.
Region
North America
Typical Environment
Breeds widely in coniferous and mixed conifer-deciduous forests from Alaska and most of Canada to the northeastern and western United States. In winter it may move southward irregularly across the continent to the central and southern U.S. and into northern Mexico during irruption years. It favors spruce, fir, pine, and hemlock stands, but also uses mixed woods, shelterbelts, and parks. Common at feeders in winter, especially where sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet are offered.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A nimble trunk-forager, it often descends trees headfirst, probing bark for insects and seeds. Pairs smear sticky conifer pitch around the nest entrance, possibly to deter predators and competitors. In winters with poor cone crops, it irrupts far south of its normal range and readily visits backyard feeders.
The nuthatch's habit of wedging seeds into cracks and hammering them open has given rise to its common name.
Temperament
active and bold
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs during the breeding season, defending a small territory. Outside breeding, it often joins mixed-species flocks with chickadees and kinglets. Pairs excavate nest cavities in soft or decaying wood and line the entrance with pitch; both sexes cache seeds in bark crevices for later use.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Calls are high-pitched, nasal yank-yank notes, often likened to a tiny tin trumpet. Song is a series of rapid, nasal toots delivered in short bursts, especially in spring.
