White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolensis
Illinois and Colorado

White-breasted Nuthatches are common throughout most of North America. There are an estimated 10,000,000 individuals throughout their range, and the overall population appears to be slowly increasing. It is resident throughout its large range and the species is protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. The removal of dead trees from forests may cause future problems for this species because White-breasted Nuthatches require cavity sites for nesting.

The diet is about 65% plant materials (including beechnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, and sunflower seeds) during winter and 100% animal foods during summer. White-breasted Nuthatches regularly come to feeding stations for suet, wild bird seed mixture, peanuts and sunflower seeds.

Male and female White-breasted Nuthatches are similar, but females in the north-east differ markedly from males by having grey crowns rather than black.

Sibley (in “The North American Bird Guide”) details three populations, which he calls Pacific, Interior West, and Eastern: differences are subtle but Eastern birds have the thickest and marginally shortest bills, the palest flanks, as well as having the palest upperparts within which the dark coverts and tertials noticeably stand out. The three populations have different vocalisations, and according to Sibley “more study is required” - perhaps suggesting that he believes three separate species may actually be involved.

“Eastern” Male, Starved Rock State Park, Illinois. March 2006

 

“Eastern” Female, Starved Rock State Park, Illinois. March 2006

 

“Interior West”, Wheat Ridge, Denver, Colorado. October 2005

All photos copyright Charlie Moores