ExploreBirds

Brown-headed Nuthatch

Sitta pusilla

The Brown-headed Nuthatch is a small, cheerful bird with a brown head and a sweet song. They love to climb trees and often hang upside down while searching for food.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Brown-headed Nuthatch has a warm brown cap contrasting with its bluish-gray back and white belly. This small, compact bird has a short tail and appears much like a tiny acrobat in the trees, unique for its head-first climbing.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilySittidaeGenusSitta
Brown-headed Nuthatch
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Brown-headed Nuthatch

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Brown-headed Nuthatches sometimes share food with others in their group.

Their distinctive call sounds exactly like a rubber squeaky toy!

These birds often forage upside-down, defying gravity on tree trunks.

They plaster resin and bark flakes around their nest entrance!

Special abilities

Ability

Bark Tool User

Brown-headed Nuthatches can use small pieces of bark as tools to pry open other bark for hidden insects.

Ability

Cavity Architect

Brown-headed Nuthatches can excavate their own nest cavities in dead snags, creating safe homes for their young.

Ability

Winter Warmth Huddle

Brown-headed Nuthatches can huddle together in tree cavities during cold nights to share body heat.

Measurements & details

Length
9-11 cm
Wingspan
16-18 cm
Weight
0.008-0.012 kg
Lifespan
2-9 years
Top Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
4-7
Incubation
12-14 days

Diet & Feeding

Tiny birds that love to eat seeds from pine trees and small insects hiding in the bark!

Primary Foods

  • Pine seeds
  • Beetles
  • Spiders
  • Caterpillars
  • Barklice

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Brown-headed Nuthatch?

The easiest way to identify Brown-headed Nuthatch is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Brown-headed Nuthatch?

9-11 cm

What is Brown-headed Nuthatch's wingspan?

16-18 cm

How much does Brown-headed Nuthatch weigh?

0.008-0.012 kg

How long does Brown-headed Nuthatch live?

2-9 years

How fast can Brown-headed Nuthatch move?

40 km/h

What does Brown-headed Nuthatch eat?

Tiny birds that love to eat seeds from pine trees and small insects hiding in the bark!

Where is Brown-headed Nuthatch usually found?

Forests

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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