Nuthatch Bird Identification

The white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches are the two most common species of nuthatch in North America. The bird is not difficult to recognize, as it has distinct features as well as habits.

  1. Features

    • The nuthatch has a big head with seemingly no neck. The short tail and long bill are other distinguishing features of this bird.

    White-Breasted

    • The white-breasted nuthatch, in addition to having a white belly, has a bluish-gray back, a white face and a gray to black "hood" around its face.

    Red Breasted

    • Red-breasted nuthatches possess a rosy-colored belly, a black head, a white stripe that runs over the eye and a black one that runs through the eye.

    Size

    • The white-breasted nuthatch is the largest of the nuthatches but is still only about 5.5 inches long.

    Behavior

    • Nuthatches get their name from their habit of wedging nuts and seeds into the bark of trees and then pecking at them until they get to the insides.They will store seeds for lean times in trees, taking them from feeders for later use.

    Headfirst

    • Nuthatches will walk down a tree headfirst in search of food. These birds will join chickadees and titmice at bird feeders.