The White-breasted Nuthatch is blue-gray on the upperparts, with a darker cap, a white face, throat, and underparts, and rusty-orange undertail coverts. Its bill is long and pointed, and its tail is short and square.

Males have a black cap and nape.  Length: 6 in.  Wingspan: 11 in.

Photograph © Alan Wilson.

Females have a paler blackish cap and nape.

None.

Juveniles are similar to adults.

White-breasted Nuthatches are found primarily in deciduous woodlands, as well as towns or parks where mature trees are present.

White-breasted Nuthatches eat insects and seeds.

White-breasted Nuthatches  forage on tree trunks and on larger limbs.

White-breasted Nuthatches occur throughout much of the U.S., southern Canada, and Mexico. Their population has increased in recent decades.

More information:

Bent Life History

Visit the Bent Life History for extensive additional information on the White-breasted Nuthatch.

Wing Shape

The shape of a bird's wing is often an indication of its habits and behavior. Fast flying birds have long, pointed wings. Soaring birds have long, broad wings. Different songbirds will have a slightly different wing shape. Some species look so much alike (Empidonax flycatchers) that scientists sometimes use the length of specific feathers to confirm a species' identification.

• Female, Washington, Mar.
• From below

Wing images from the University of Puget Sound, Slater Museum of Natural History

White-breasted Nuthatches often place a hard seed or nut in a bark crevice and then hammer it with their bill to crack or open it.

White-breasted Nuthatches have strong legs and feet, and are able to climb down as well as up a tree trunk.

A variety of loud, harsh calls are given, including a "schreeep" or a fast "enk enk enk".

Nuthatches with visit feeders for sunflower and suet.