White-breasted Nuthatch

Picture by Michael J. Hopiak, retrieved March 20, 2004 from site

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-breasted_Nuthatch.html

Phylum: Chordata                       

    Subphylum: Vertebrata

      Class: Aves

        Order: Passeriformes

          Family: Sittidae

            Genus: Sitta

              Species: carolinensis

Other names: Sittelle a poitrine blanch (French) (1)

Geographic distribution:  Winter and Summer distribution maps

Winter Distribution Map

Above Picture: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, retrieved March 20, 2004 from site

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/htm96/cbc622/ra7270.html

Summer Distribution Map

Above picture: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, retrieved March 20, 2004 from site

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/htm96/map617/ra7270.html

As you can see the largest concentration of the White-breasted Nuthatch are in the north-eastern, north central, and west coast of the United States during both winter and summer months.

Native habitat: The White-breasted Nuthatch prefers woodland deciduous forests, most commonly on the woodland fringe so that it has easy access to open space from its nesting site. (1)

Diet: During the winter months the White-breasted Nuthatch's diet consist mainly of nuts and seeds. However during the summer months they consume more insects than they do nuts and seeds. (1)

Identification: The White-breasted Nuthatch has a long bill, with a black crown, white cheeks, a white underside than becomes rosy near the tail, a bluish-gray back, and a mixture of white, black, and bluish-gray on the wings and tail. This nuthatch can grow to a length of 5 to 6 inches with a wing span of 8 to 11 inches. (1)

Conservation status: The White-breasted Nuthatch is common throughout most of North America, it is not list as either endangered or threatened. (1)

Nesting/Eggs: Females build the nest alone and lay between 5 and 9 eggs. The incubation period is about 12 days at which point the male begins to bring food into the nest. (1)

Song: Hear the song by clicking here

References: 1) Roof, Jennifer; Animal Diversity Web. Sitta carolinensis. Retrieved March 20, 2004 from site http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sitta_carolinensis.html