Nuthatches (Sittidae)
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis. Conifer seeds and insects.
Nuthatches (Sittidae)Red-breasted NuthatchSitta canadensis
- Scientific name
- Sitta canadensis
- Length
- 4.3 in
- Weight
- 0.3–0.5 oz
- Nest
- Excavated cavity in soft dead conifers or aspens; uses boxes
- Entrance hole
- 1 1/4 in
- Clutch
- 5–8 eggs
- Incubation
- 12–13 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- Black eye-line under a white eyebrow
- Rusty-cinnamon underparts
- Blue-grey back, tiny stub tail
Voice
Nasal, tin-horn 'yank-yank'.
Diet and feeding
Conifer seeds and insects.
What do red-breasted nuthatches eat? · Best feeder for red-breasted nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatchs by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Winter visitor | — |
| Alaska | Year-round resident | June |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | June |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Arkansas | Winter visitor | — |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | June |
| California | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Delaware | Winter visitor | — |
| Florida | Winter visitor | — |
| Georgia | Winter visitor | — |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Illinois | Winter visitor | — |
| Indiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Iowa | Winter visitor | — |
| Kansas | Winter visitor | — |
| Kentucky | Winter visitor | — |
| Louisiana | Winter visitor | — |
| Maine | Year-round resident | June |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | June |
| Maryland | Winter visitor | — |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | June |
| Mississippi | Winter visitor | — |
| Missouri | Winter visitor | — |
| Montana | Year-round resident | June |
| Nebraska | Winter visitor | — |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | June |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | May–June |
| New York | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | June |
| North Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| North Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | June |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | June |
| Ohio | Winter visitor | — |
| Oklahoma | Winter visitor | — |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | June |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | June |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | June |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | June |
| South Carolina | Winter visitor | — |
| South Dakota | Winter visitor | — |
| Tennessee | Winter visitor | — |
| Texas | Winter visitor | — |
| Utah | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | June |
| Virginia | Winter visitor | — |
| Washington | Year-round resident | May–June |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | May–June |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | June |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | June |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | June |
Frequently asked
What do red-breasted nuthatches eat?
Conifer seeds and insects. At feeders: black-oil sunflower, suet, peanut hearts.
How big is a Red-breasted Nuthatch?
4.3 in long and 0.3–0.5 oz.
Do red-breasted nuthatches use birdhouses?
Yes — a 1 1/4 in entrance, 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 ft.
Sources
- Red-breasted Nuthatch — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-breasted Nuthatch life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Red-breasted 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.