Red-breasted Nuthatchs in Newfoundland and Labrador
When red-breasted nuthatches are present in Newfoundland and Labrador, when they nest, which native Newfoundland and Labrador plants feed them, and how to host them in a Canada 0a–6b yard.
- Status in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Year-round resident
- Nesting window
- June
- Broods
- 1 per season
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 0a–6b
- Nest box
- 1 1/4 in hole, 4 × 4 in floor, 5–15 ft
When to expect red-breasted nuthatches in Newfoundland and Labrador
Red-breasted Nuthatchs live in Newfoundland and Labrador all year. Long, snowy, windy winters. That makes the cold months the time your yard matters most to them: their winter diet shifts toward spruce, fir and pine seeds.
Cool maritime on the island of Newfoundland; subarctic in Labrador.
Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador
Across Newfoundland and Labrador, red-breasted nuthatches typically nest from June. Nest site: excavated cavity in soft dead conifers or aspens; uses boxes. Females lay 5–8 eggs, incubate for 12–13 days, and young leave the nest after 18–21 days.
Cool summers; nesting often starts in June.
- Have boxes cleaned and mounted before May — red-breasted nuthatches begin prospecting ahead of egg-laying.
- Use a 1 1/4 in entrance on a 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 5–15 ft.
- Fit a pole baffle or hole guard; ventilation gaps and drainage holes are essential.
- Clean out old nests after each brood and again after June.
Native Newfoundland and Labrador plants that attract red-breasted nuthatches
Of the regional native plants we track for Newfoundland and Labrador, these 8 provide food or cover red-breasted nuthatches use:
Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Among the first spring bloomers; early insects for returning migrants.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Spruce-budworm habitat and dense winter roosting cover.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Persistent cones in boreal bogs.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Feeding red-breasted nuthatches through the Newfoundland and Labrador 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 Newfoundland and Labrador's winter: Long, snowy, windy winters.
Full diet breakdown for red-breasted nuthatches · Best feeder for red-breasted nuthatches
Frequently asked
Are red-breasted nuthatches in Newfoundland and Labrador year-round?
Yes. Red-breasted Nuthatchs are year-round residents in Newfoundland and Labrador.
When do red-breasted nuthatches nest in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Nesting in Newfoundland and Labrador typically runs June, with 1 per season. Clutches are 5–8 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.
What native plants attract red-breasted nuthatches in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Eastern white pine, Paper birch, Red maple, Chokecherry, Balsam fir, White spruce, Black spruce, Tamarack are native plants in Newfoundland and Labrador that provide food or cover for red-breasted nuthatches.
What size birdhouse hole do red-breasted nuthatches need?
1 1/4 in, with a floor of 4 × 4 in mounted 5–15 ft.
Red-breasted Nuthatchs in other regions
Other backyard birds in Newfoundland and Labrador
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
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Newfoundland and Labrador
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
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.