Red-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensis
STANFORD LOCATIONS:

Fairly rare and irregular migrant and winter visitor, usually found foraging in redwoods, pines, and cedars. Abundance increases every few years when irruptions occur.
  
Nest
Location
Nest
Type
Eggs
Mating System
Dev.
Parental Care
Primary &
2ndary Diet
Foraging
Strategy
F
I: 12 DAYS
ALTRICIAL
5-40 feet
(To 120 feet)
F-M
5-6
(4-7)
MONOG
F: 14-21 DAYS
MF
HAWKS
BREEDING: Coniferous (esp) and mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, aspen woodland, prefers mature stands with decaying large trees. ? broods.
DISPLAYS: Courtship: male with head and tail raised, wings drooped, back feathers fluffed, sways from side to side with back turned to female and often sings. Courtship feeding.
NEST: In cavity excavated in rotten branch or stump, ccc in deserted woodpecker hole; bed of soft bark shreds, grass, roots.
EGGS: White to pinkish-white, marked with reddish-brown. 0.6" (15 mm).
DIET: In winter, takes many conifer seeds. Young may be fed 100% animal food.
CONSERVATION: Winters in breeding range except in n and at higher elevations; some move s to n Baja. Breeding range in e expanding s.
NOTES: Pairs may remain together on feeding territory through winter if food resources are adequate.
ESSAYS: Birds, DNA, and Evolutionary Convergence; Irruptions; Territoriality; Courtship Feeding.
REFERENCES: Killiam, 1973.

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Except for Stanford Locations, the material in this species treatment is taken, with permission, from The Birder's Handbook (Paul Ehrlich, David Dobkin, & Darryl Wheye, Simon & Schuster, NY. 1988).