Tough as Nails

This year was the first, my backyard and feeders were visited by White-breasted Nuthatch. It was very delightful to observe them for the first time. This bird is quite good looking and vibrant, full of energy.

The white-breasted nuthatch is a small songbird of the nuthatch family which breeds in old-growth woodland across much of temperate North America. It is a stocky bird, with a large head, short tail, powerful bill, and strong feet. The upperparts are pale blue-gray, and the face and underparts are white. It has a black cap and a chestnut lower belly.

Like other nuthatches, the white-breasted nuthatch forages for insects on trunks and branches, and is able to move head-first down trees. Seeds form a substantial part of its winter diet, as do acorns and hickory nuts that were stored by the bird in the fall. The nest is in a hole in a tree, and the breeding pair may smear insects around the entrance as a deterrent to squirrels.

This bird is very independent and doesn’t mix with other species, it has the respect of other birds his size at the feeders, having the potential to be a strong adversary with the beak strong as a nail.

“I hope that they stay all year round.”

Photo Gallery

Tags: birds, nature, photography, photos of birds, White-breasted Nuthatch

27 thoughts on “Tough as Nails”

Jet Eliot on April 17, 2015 at 8:55 am said:

It’s very satisfying when a new bird visits your feeder, isn’t it HJ? Word is definitely out that HJ’s feeder is a winner. 😀

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 12:28 pm said:
  
  Thank you for your vote of confidence Jet! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
lbmphotography on April 17, 2015 at 9:16 am said:

I love hearing their little squeaks and pips.

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 12:16 pm said:
  
  Thank you for sharing L.! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Kadamakudy Islands on April 17, 2015 at 10:15 am said:

Beautiful

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 12:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Tiny on April 17, 2015 at 10:51 am said:

Beautiful photos of this small “energy ball”! Great you got this new visitor 🙂

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 12:26 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Tiny! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
cindy knoke on April 17, 2015 at 12:03 pm said:

Beautiful captures!

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 12:29 pm said:
  
  I’m glad you like them Cindy! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Poetsmith on April 17, 2015 at 2:46 pm said:

I’m learning so much about these beautiful creatures! Thanks for your posts and photos… 🙂

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 3:34 pm said:
  
  I’m very glad for that Iris! Thank you! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
susanpoozan on April 17, 2015 at 3:25 pm said:

Most interesting and beautifully photographed.

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 3:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Susan! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
tootlepedal on April 17, 2015 at 4:18 pm said:

I really like nuthatches and yours look very pretty.

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 6:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you Tom! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
jmgoyder on April 17, 2015 at 7:43 pm said:

I am sorry to have lost touch with your wonderful blog – it stopped coming to my inbox for some reason so have now resubscribed.

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 7:53 pm said:
  
  There’s nothing to be sorry about Julie. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
aussiebirder on April 17, 2015 at 10:16 pm said:

Lovely smart looking little bird! I wonder where the Nuthatch name comes from?

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 17, 2015 at 10:38 pm said:
  
  I really have no idea where that name originated. Thanks Ashley! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Jane on April 18, 2015 at 12:53 am said:

They are delightfully pretty looking birds and beautifully photographed.

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 18, 2015 at 11:52 am said:
  
  Thanks Jane! I appreciate it! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Aunt Beulah on April 18, 2015 at 8:52 am said:

A post about one of my favorite birds. Thank you! Nothing tickles me more than to look out my kitchen window and see one scooting, headfirst, down a tree trunk. For some reason, the sight always makes me smile with fondness.

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 18, 2015 at 11:41 am said:
  
  You are not the only person that feel that way, I do too! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
45DegreesNorth on April 18, 2015 at 9:11 pm said:

I’m glad you got a visit from one of these adorable birds! I think of them as miniature penguins, for some reason, and their peeps and squeaks are so cheerful. They are another you can get to eat out of your hand, if you are patient enough. 🙂

Reply ↓
- avian101 on April 18, 2015 at 9:46 pm said:
  
  That’s ok Amy, I could not hope for that, I a lot of other birds to feed and they might want to do the same! Thanks! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - 45DegreesNorth on April 19, 2015 at 8:06 pm said:
    
    I love the mental image of you being covered in birds wanting to eat from your hand! Your wife would need to be the photographer and record that for us! 😀