FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a small-sized singing bird, belonging to the nuthatch family.
Although there is rarely any difference between the male and female birds of the species, the males are slightly more vibrant than the females. The territory-conscious nuthatches join a flock only during foraging for seeds to store in the crevices in the bark of trees. Foraging means gathering wild food. The monogamous birds pair with one individual and stay with them until they die or one of the birds disappears. During the breeding season, which takes place between May and June, the females themselves build the nests and lay eggs. The birds lay only a single clutch of eggs in a single season. After a 12-14 days incubation period, the young birds take birth. After 26 days the young nuthatches leave the nest. Although the birds can be abundantly found across the world, their predators possess a threat to them. Owls, hawks, and snakes are among their predators. This adorable bird is full of interesting facts. Keep on reading to know more about the species.
Are you interested to learn interesting facts about birds and animals from around the globe? Then don't forget to visit our grasshopper sparrow and hooded merganser facts.
The white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a small North American songbird, which belongs to the nuthatch family. Although small in size, these birds are the largest birds of the nuthatch family.
The white-breasted nuthatches belong to the Sittidae family. Birds belonging to this family are characterized by their large head, powerful feet, bill, and short tail.
The exact number of white-breasted nuthatches living in the world is not known. However, white-breasted nuthatches are common songbirds and are among the most abundantly found birds of North America. They can also be found in the continental parts of the United States, southern regions of Canada, and central Mexico.
The white-breasted nuthatches live abundantly throughout North America, the continental regions of the United States, central Mexico, and parts of southern Canada.
The most preferred habitat of these birds is hardwood forests. They can also be found in coniferous forests, mixed deciduous, and deciduous woodlands. These birds also turn out to be frequent visitors of backyard bird-feeders, as these bird-feeders act as a source of food.
According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (member-supported unit of Cornell University), the territory-conscious birds live on their own throughout the year. It's only during traveling that a bird joins a flock. Flocks are considered beneficial to avoid predators and for foraging over tree trunks.
The average lifespan of white-breasted nuthatches is two years. Although, the oldest bird of this species lived till the age of 10 years.
This species of birds form monogamous pairs that stay together year-long, from courtship and territory establishment. This behavior continues until one of the birds in the pair disappears or dies.
The breeding season takes place between the beginning of May and the beginning of June, but some populations show a range that begins in April and continues until July. Every year, white-breast nuthatches lay a single clutch of eggs. During the breeding season, female white-brown nuthatches build the nest by themselves. Nuthatches build their nests in tree cavities, also known as nest cavities. The females lay about 3-10 white-pink eggs in the nest cavity.
After an incubation period of 12-14 days, the eggs hatch, and the young birds are born. The young birds leave the nest between 14-26 days after birth.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conversation status of the white-breasted nuthatches is Least Concern. The North American birds are abundantly found across the world and their population is even increasing.
White-breasted nuthatches are distinguished from other nuthatches by their long bills. Their bills are nearly as long as their heads and slightly upturned. Nuthatches with white breasts have black crowns on their heads, as well as white cheeks and undersides. Their lower belly has a rosy region near the tail. The back of a nuthatch is bluish-gray. Their wings and tails are a mix of black, white, and bluish-gray colors. Male birds are slightly more vibrantly colored than female birds, with dark parts of their plumage contrasting with their light plumage. Females have a slightly grayer complexion on average.
These North American birds are extremely adorable and look really cute, as well. However, these birds are extremely territorial and sensitive. While the male white-breasted nuthatches defend the territory, both the male and female white-breasted nuthatches reside in the territory. Only during winter, white-breasted nuthatches leave their territory in search of food.
These birds use visual cues and vocalizations to communicate with birds from the species. These North American birds are almost quiet throughout the entire year, even during the breeding season. However, during early spring and winter, white-breasted nuthatches become particularly vocal. These songbirds sing to defend their territories.
White-breasted nuthatches can grow up to 6 in (15 cm) in length. They are 1.2 in (3 cm) longer than a similar species of nuthatches, named the red-breasted nuthatch. The red-breasted nuthatches are similar to the white-breasted nuthatches; the only difference is that their underparts are cinnamon-colored.
The exact speed of the white-breasted nuthatches is not known.
This bird has an average weight of 0.7 oz (19.8 g).
The white-breasted nuthatches do not have specific names for the male and female counterparts of the species. They are known by the name of the parent species. Therefore, male white-breasted nuthatches are known as cocks, whereas, female white-breasted nuthatches are known as hens.
Similar to the male and female birds, the baby nuthatches also do not have a specific name. They are called chicks.
These birds are omnivorous. Their food consists of both seeds and insects. During summer, the white-breasted nuthatches eat insects like weevils, leaf beetles, tent caterpillars, spiders, wood borers, scale insects, ants, and psyllids for food from the trees, while in winter, white-breasted nuthatches eat (sunflower) seeds and nuts from the trees in their habitat.
This bird has a habit of storing seeds and nuts in tree crevices or loose bark of trees in their habitat. They get their name 'nuthatches' from their habit. Later when they need food, they pry open the crevices in the bark of the trees with their bills. Nuthatches also look for smaller seeds and insects along the tree trunks.
These birds are not at all dangerous. Their behavior does not possess any threat to humans. Instead, these birds are quite friendly.
Although these birds look absolutely adorable and are quite friendly in nature, they do not make ideal pets. They are most suited to the wild habitat. However, they might just become frequent visitors to your backyard, where they might feed on insects or seeds like sunflower seeds.
These birds have one backward-facing toe, along with three forward-facing toes. It helps them move head first, upside down on a tree, to eat from the crevices in the bark of the trees.
The most concrete theory behind the behavior of these birds hanging upside down along tree trunks is that it gives a different perspective and helps them in foraging. Foraging is among one of the most distinct characteristics of these birds and is also a prominent way through which these birds gather and eat food. They even eat in an upside-down manner, so that when they look up, their head will remain parallel to the ground.
Although the two birds look quite similar, an adult black-capped chickadee has a longer tail and a smaller bill, when compared to nuthatches. They also do not climb up and down tree trunks, in search of nuts and seeds, like nuthatches.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our golden oriole fun facts and common house martin interesting facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable white-breasted nuthatch coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.