White-breasted nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
L 5″
Habitat: White-breasted nuthatches are non-migratory in most forest types in the United States. They show a preference for deciduous woodlands. In the Rocky Mountains, they occur most commonly below 9,500 feet elevation (Bailey and Niedrach 1965).
Nest: White-breasted nuthatches nest almost exclusively in natural cavities within living trees of mature forests. When natural cavities are unavailable, they may use an abandoned woodpecker hole (Kilham 1968b). In the West, nests have been found in dead aspens and dead portions (lightning strikes) of live ponderosa pines (Bailey and Niedrach 1965, Scott and Patton 1975). Nests are lined with hair and feathers and are often used for more than 1 year.
Food: A myriad of insects, including larvae of the gypsy moth and the forest tent caterpillar, beetles, spiders, caterpillars, and ants comprise the main diet of white-breasted nuthatches throughout the spring and summer. In the winter, nearly all food eaten is mast composed of beechnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, maize and sunflower seeds (Bent 1948). Among the insect foods are several other forest pests including nut weevils, locust seed weevils, and roundheaded woodborers (Scott and Patton 1975). Nuthatches may also be attracted to feeders with suet and sunflower seeds.