Nuthatches (Sittidae)
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Sitta pusilla. Pine seeds and bark insects; one of few tool-using birds, prying bark with a flake.
Nuthatches (Sittidae)Brown-headed NuthatchSitta pusilla
- Scientific name
- Sitta pusilla
- Length
- 3.9–4.3 in
- Weight
- 0.3–0.4 oz
- Nest
- Excavated cavity in dead pine snags; nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- 1 in
- Clutch
- 3–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 13–15 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Brown cap with a white nape spot
- Blue-grey back
- Pale buff underparts
Voice
Squeaky 'rubber-ducky' calls.
Diet and feeding
Pine seeds and bark insects; one of few tool-using birds, prying bark with a flake.
What do brown-headed nuthatches eat? · Best feeder for brown-headed nuthatches
Brown-headed Nuthatchs by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Florida | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | February–May |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–May |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | March–May |
Frequently asked
What do brown-headed nuthatches eat?
Pine seeds and bark insects; one of few tool-using birds, prying bark with a flake. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, suet.
How big is a Brown-headed Nuthatch?
3.9–4.3 in long and 0.3–0.4 oz.
Do brown-headed nuthatches use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 in entrance, 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–12 ft.
Sources
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Brown-headed Nuthatch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Brown-headed Nuthatch — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.