Nuthatch Family
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The Red-Breasted and White-breasted Nuthatch inhabit forest areas across the United States. The Pygmy Nuthatch is a Western species at home in Ponderosa Pine forests. The Brown-headed Nuthatch makes it home in the pine forests of the Southeastern United States.
Nuthatch species are best recognized for their foraging habit, which often amounts to walking down trees in search of food. Both photographs, the White-breasted Nuthatch on top and the Red-breasted Nuthatch on the bottom, show the birds in foraging mode.
Their diet is often seasonally determined and consists of insects, spiders, seeds and fruit, and are known to visit backyard bird feeders.
Most Nuthatches are year-round residents of their territory, although some migrate short distances during winter in search of more secure food supplies.
© 2008. Patricia A. Michaels