Nuthatches are probably one of the easiest backyard birds to identify. If you see a bird creeping downward on a tree, it's a nuthatch. It's the only species that can "walk down a tree." It needs no tail support because it has incredibly strong feet!

That said, generally you won't see too many nuthatches in your yard. Most nuthatches visit feeders in ones and twos. They are feisty and aggressive birds, and pairs generally defend a territory of 10 to 30 acres. They feast on seeds and insects found in trees, and many times will hide seeds from feeders in tree bark for a snack later in the day or breakfast the next morning.

Do Nuthatches Migrate?

The White-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents here in Collin County. In the winter they will form loose flocks, or 'guilds' with other birds such as Cardinals, Chickadees and Woodpeckers. These winter foraging flocks travel around, learning each other’s alarm calls to protect from danger. They also learn food foraging techniques from each other, such as searching up or down trees.

Foods

The name Nuthatch results from the corruption of the word "nuthack" which refers to its habit of hacking away at a seed with its beak until it opens. To attract nuthatches to your yard, try a suet or peanut feeder as well as a blend high in sunflower. They also enjoy Jim's famous bark butter.

Feeders

Nuthatches, like Woodpeckers, are comfortable clinging onto various perching options and are therefore easily adaptable to many types and styles of feeders. Red-breasted Nuthatches are even seen at Finch Feeders. Some of the most commonly visited by Nuthatches include:

Birdbaths (Water)

Water is essential to all birds and providing a bird bath means they don’t have to travel great distances to find water. Water in a bird bath should be cleaned regularly as birds defecate, leave bits of food and feathers in the bath, not to mention leaves and other items that can end up in a bath. In the winter, heated birdbaths provide an excellent place for birds to drink. During the warmer months the WBU Water Wigglers create moving water in your birdbath, making the bath even more attractive to birds. 

Nuthatch Houses (Nest Boxes)

Although both local species of Nuthatch prefer a natural nesting cavity, they will readily use Nest Boxes when nature does not provide them a better option. Nuthatches are partial to nesting in forested areas. For these birds, fill the box with 1 inch of wood shavings to allow them to excavate their own nest. Nuthatch nest boxes should have proper drainage and ventilation to keep the nest and babies dry and should be mounted 5 to 15 feet above the ground with the entrance hold away from prevailing winds on a tree, fence post or on a pole. Poles systems outfitted with a baffle, such as our WBU Advanced Pole System® (APS) Basic Setup Mounting Hardware (sold separately) tend to offer the best protection from predators.

Roosting Boxes (Shelter)

White-breasted, as well as other cavity dwelling birds, seek shelter during cold nights of the winter months. Shelter is essential for their survival in harsh conditions. Roosting boxes provide shelter for birds on very cold nights. Roosting boxes differ from a typical bird house because they feature a hole on the bottom of the box to trap heat and three dowels on the inside of the house to accommodate multiple perching birds. At WBU McKinney we offer Convertible Winter Roosting boxes which can be flipped to convert it to a Chickadee/Nuthatch house after the winter season.

Nesting Material 

Although not as common as other birds in nest boxes, White-breasted Nuthatches will happily use a nest box if natural offerings are low or not available. To further entice Nuthatches to use a Nesting or Roosting Box, fill the box with 1 inch of wood shavings to allow them to excavate their own nest. Hanging nesting material, such as our WBU Nesting Material Ball, will further encourage them to take up residence in our yard, and will add to your viewing pleasure as they will spend more time in your yard gathering their nesting materials.

Fun Facts

• A nuthatch’s foot has one big toe (the hallux) that faces backward, while its other three toes face forward. It is able to walk head first down the trunks of trees by moving only one foot at a time while the hallux toe on the other foot holds firmly to the bark.
• For more information visit this great resource: Lab of Ornithology at Cornell - All About Birds -  White-breasted Nuthatch