We all love nuthatches...right? Of course!

 Photos by BarrytheBirder

White-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensis

I have long been an admirer of the two nuthatches that call Canada home.   They are stand-outs in appearance and they have that readily obvious habit of facing downward on tree trunks as they work their way from top to bottom, gleaning seeds and small insects.   They are faithful visitors to our feeders and become quite tame as they help themselves to seeds.   The 'Red-breasteds' can even be fed seeds by hand, if one has enough patience.   They also have an amazing ability to barge into the thick of things when the feeders are covered with other birds, including larger ones.   But they are lightening-fast and as soon as they have a seed, they rush off, unmolested, into the trees and hedges.   There is never a dull moment when they are around.   They seem to mate for life and are always together, winter or summer.   I love the way they alternate between caution and brashness.   There are 24 species of nuthatches around the world, but I think Canadians are more than content with the two that share this big land of ours.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Ba