Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)

Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis

TAXONOMY:

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sittidae
Genus: Sitta
species: canadensis

MORPHOLOGY:

Male: Has black crown and eyeline. The eyebrow is white. The ventral side is orangish-red and the dorsal side is bluish-gray.
Female: Like male except that the crown is gray and the ventral side is more lightly colored.

FOOD: eats seeds and insects. Creeps head first down tree trunks in search of insects.

MATING SYSTEM: monogamous.

BREEDING SYSTEM:

Where Breeds: Breeds in a mixed forest or coniferous woodlands (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997).
Nest: The nest is located in a natural cavity found in a deciduous or coniferous tree, old woodpecker hole, or cavity excavated on its own (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The nest is typically found 5-40 ft. high (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The nest is a cavity in dead wood, with a cup made out of grasses, rootlets, hair, and fur (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). Resin from pines, firs, or balsams is smeared around the entrance hole of the nest to help protect from predation (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The nest is built and resin-smeared by both sexes (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997).
Breeding Season: The breeding season begins in late April to early May (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). This species is single-brooded (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997).
Eggs: There are 4-7 eggs laid in a clutch (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The eggs are subelliptical to short subelliptical in shape and white, creamy-white, or pinkish-white in background color (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The eggs are speckled reddish-brown, chestnut-red, purplish-red, or brown (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The average size of an egg is 15 X 12 mm (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997).
Incubation: The incubation period is 12 days and is done by the female (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The male will feed the female while she is incubating the eggs (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997).
Nestling: The young, or nestlings, are born altricial and downy, with the down being dark gray in color (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997). The young fledge from the nest after 18-21 days and are tended by both parents while in the nest (Baicicich and Harrison, 1997).

MIGRATION STATUS IN WISCONSIN:
The red-breasted nuthatch is a resident/short distance migrant.

NESTS FOUND AT LAND O' LAKES SITE:
There was one nest found at the site, but the nest failed to fledge any young.

REFERENCES:
Baicicich, P.J. and Harrison, C.J.O. 1997. A Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds, 2nd edition. Academic Press: San Diego.

Stokes, D.W. and Stokes, L.Q. 1996. Field Guide to Birds: Eastern Region. Little, Brown and Co.: Boston. Last Updated: March 27, 2005

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