White-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta carolinensis
The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a common nuthatch found in 4 countries, weighing about 21 g. The white-breasted nuthatch is a species of bird in the nuthatch family Sittidae.
About the White-breasted Nuthatch
The white-breasted nuthatch is a species of bird in the nuthatch family Sittidae. It is a medium-sized nuthatch, measuring approximately 15.5 cm (6.1 in) in length. Coloration varies somewhat along the species' range, but the upperparts are light blue-gray, with a black crown and nape in males, while females have a dark gray crown. The underparts are whitish, with a reddish tinge on the lower abdomen. Despite not being closely related, the white-breasted nuthatch and the white wagtail are very similar in plumage.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The white-breasted nuthatch is a medium-sized nuthatch, measuring about 15.5 cm (6.1 in) in length. Like other members of its genus, it has a large head, short tail, short wings, a powerful bill and strong feet; it is 13–14 cm (5.1–5.5 in) long, with a wingspan of 20–27 cm (7.9–10.6 in) and a weight of 18–30 g (0.63–1.06 oz). The adult male of the nominate subspecies, S. c. carolinensis, has pale blue-gray upperparts, a glossy black cap (crown of the head), and a black band on the upper back. Voice: Like other nuthatches, the white-breasted nuthatch is a noisy bird with a range of vocalizations. The male's mating song is a rapid nasal qui-qui-qui-qui-qui-qui-qui. The contact call between members of a pair, given most frequently in the fall and winter is a thin squeaky nit, uttered up to 30 times a minute.
What the White-breasted Nuthatch sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The White-breasted Nuthatch can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the White-breasted Nuthatch on live cams
Browse all 118 bird cams worldwide, live and seasonal, by region and species.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a White-breasted Nuthatch?
- The white-breasted nuthatch is a medium-sized nuthatch, measuring about 15.5 cm (6.1 in) in length. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a White-breasted Nuthatch?
- The White-breasted Nuthatch is a small sized bird weighing about 21 g.
- Where can you see a White-breasted Nuthatch?
- The White-breasted Nuthatch occurs in 4 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and St. Pierre & Miquelon.
- What does a White-breasted Nuthatch sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the White-breasted Nuthatch on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a White-breasted Nuthatch?
- The White-breasted Nuthatch is most easily confused with the Red-breasted Nuthatch, the Eurasian Nuthatch and the Brown-headed Nuthatch.
- Is the White-breasted Nuthatch endangered?
- The White-breasted Nuthatch is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the White-breasted Nuthatch for real
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