Red-breasted Nuthatch

10-13 cm (4-5") Common. Irruptive migrant. Coniferous and mixed forests; feeds on cone seeds and insects; visits seed and suet feeders in winter.

White eyebrow; black line through eye; blue-gray back.

Male: black cap with rich rust underparts.

Female: duller head and paler underparts.

Creeps head first down trees allowing it to find food that "right-side up" birds would miss.

Song: soft nasal "enk" or "ank" like a toy tin horn.

Videos

Distribution Maps

Red-breasted Nuthatch winter distribution map

Red-breasted Nuthatch distribution map