White-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis

Often seen climbing up, down, and sideways on tree trunks, sometime going down headfirst, these quick moving birds poke around in the bark for caterpillars, larvae and other insects, along with eating nuts and seeds. They have a habit of wedging larger nuts such as acorns in tree bark crevices, and then pecking away at it with their beak until the edible meat is revealed. Sometimes they hide the food for later, under loose pieces of bark and lichen, or even snow in the colder months as they stay in the area year-round. It is common to see them in the company of chickadees, titmice, and woodpeckers. Their signature call is a very nasal single note, rapidly repeating between six to twelve times, creating a rhythmic accompaniment on early morning walks.