ExploreBirds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensis

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small bird with a bright orange belly and a cute, tiny beak. They love to climb trees and can often be seen hanging upside down while searching for food.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small bird with a blue-gray back and a distinct rusty-orange breast and belly. It has a bold black eye-stripe contrasting with a white stripe above it, and a relatively long, pointed bill.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilySittidaeGenusSitta
Red-breasted Nuthatch
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgearboreal trait badgecolorful trait badge
Red-breasted Nuthatch

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Their loud 'yank-yank' call sounds just like a tiny toy car horn honking!

These tiny birds can chip out their own nest holes in soft, dead wood!

They sometimes rub insects all over their feathers to get rid of tiny pests!

Unlike woodpeckers, they don't use their tails for support when climbing trees!

Special abilities

Ability

Gravity Defier

Red-breasted Nuthatches can walk headfirst down tree trunks because of specially adapted feet that allow them to grip bark from any angle.

Ability

Resin Sealer

The Red-breasted Nuthatch can plaster sticky tree sap (pitch) around its nest entrance, protecting its eggs from predators like squirrels.

Ability

Winter Pantry

Red-breasted Nuthatches have an incredible memory for storing seeds in tree bark crevices, ensuring they have food during scarce winter months.

Measurements & details

Length
10.5-11.5 cm
Wingspan
19-21 cm
Weight
0.008-0.013 kg
Lifespan
2-7 years
Top Speed
35 km/h
Clutch Size
4-7
Incubation
12-13 days
Migration Distance
1000 km

Diet & Feeding

They mainly eat insects and seeds, especially from conifers, like a tiny forest gardener!

Primary Foods

  • Conifer Seeds
  • Beetles
  • Spiders
  • Caterpillars
  • Acorns

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 don’t try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Red-breasted Nuthatch?

10.5-11.5 cm

What is Red-breasted Nuthatch's wingspan?

19-21 cm

How much does Red-breasted Nuthatch weigh?

0.008-0.013 kg

How long does Red-breasted Nuthatch live?

2-7 years

How fast can Red-breasted Nuthatch move?

35 km/h

What does Red-breasted Nuthatch eat?

They mainly eat insects and seeds, especially from conifers, like a tiny forest gardener!

Where is Red-breasted Nuthatch usually found?

Forests

How does Red-breasted Nuthatch hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Birds