Nebraska · Winter visitor

Red-breasted Nuthatchs in Nebraska

When red-breasted nuthatches are present in Nebraska, when they nest, which native Nebraska plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 4b–5b yard.

Nuthatches (Sittidae)Red-breasted NuthatchSitta canadensis

Status in Nebraska: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 4b–5b

When to expect red-breasted nuthatches in Nebraska

In Nebraska, red-breasted nuthatches are winter visitors rather than breeders. Cold, windy winters; the Platte River corridor holds most wintering birds. While here they rely on spruce, fir and pine seeds.

Continental, from tallgrass prairie in the east to the Sandhills and shortgrass in the west.

Native Nebraska plants that attract red-breasted nuthatches

Of the regional native plants we track for Nebraska, these 8 provide food or cover red-breasted nuthatches use:

Flowering dogwood

Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

White oak

Quercus alba · Tree

Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.

Bur oak

Quercus macrocarpa · Tree

Drought-hardy prairie oak with large acorns and a heavy insect load.

Black cherry

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

New England aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae · Perennial

Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.

Feeding red-breasted nuthatches through the Nebraska year

Irrupts south in poor cone years; smears sap around its nest hole to deter predators.

Best foods: Black-oil sunflower, Suet, Peanut hearts.
In Nebraska's winter: Cold, windy winters; the Platte River corridor holds most wintering birds.

Full diet breakdown for red-breasted nuthatches · Best feeder for red-breasted nuthatches

Frequently asked

Are red-breasted nuthatches in Nebraska year-round?

No. Red-breasted Nuthatchs are winter visitors in Nebraska and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract red-breasted nuthatches in Nebraska?

Flowering dogwood, Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, White oak, Bur oak, Black cherry, American elderberry, New England aster are native plants in Nebraska that provide food or cover for red-breasted nuthatches.

Other backyard birds in Nebraska

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-headed Woodpecker Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Evening Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Eastern Screech-Owl Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird American Tree Sparrow House Sparrow European Starling Black-billed Magpie Pygmy Nuthatch Spotted Towhee Mountain Bluebird Say's Phoebe White-crowned Sparrow Black-headed Grosbeak Lazuli Bunting Bullock's Oriole Eurasian Collared-Dove

Sources

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.