White-breasted Nuthatch

Adults have a blue-gray back, a stark white face and underparts, and a black cap and nape (the cap is glossy black in males and more grayish-black in females). Rusty-brown patches are often visible on the lower belly and undertail coverts.

White face and breast, black cap, bluish-gray upperparts, and distinct lack of any strong facial stripes.

Length: 5.1–5.5 inches (13–14 cm), Wingspan: 8.7–10.6 inches (22–27 cm), Weight: 0.6–1.1 oz (18–30 g).

A nasal, repetitive 'yank-yank' or 'quank', and a rapid series of low, nasal notes during the breeding season.

Insects and spiders during the summer; seeds and nuts (such as acorns and beechnuts) in the winter. They wedge large seeds into bark crevices to hammer them open.

Mature deciduous and mixed forests, woodlots, suburban parks, and gardens with large trees.

Non-migratory resident; largely stays on its breeding territory year-round.

Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, lined with soft materials like fur, moss, and feathers. Clutch size is typically 5 to 9 white eggs with reddish spots.

Red-breasted Nuthatch, which is smaller, has a rusty breast, and a bold white eyebrow stripe through a black eye line.

Helps control insect populations by foraging on tree trunks and branches; often hoards seeds, aiding in seed dispersal.

Least Concern, with stable or increasing populations.

Listen for their nasal 'yank-yank' calls near mature deciduous or mixed forests, or attract them to backyard feeders using suet and sunflower seeds.

Nuthatches are named for their habit of wedging hard nuts and seeds into bark crevices and 'hatching' (hacking) them open with their strong bills.