Nuthatches are small songbirds found throughout North America. They get their name from their habit of jamming large nuts and seeds into tree bark and then whacking them with their bills to “hatch” the seeds out. Nuthatches make their nests in the holes and crevices of tree trunks or branches. The breeding season for nuthatches varies by species, but generally occurs between April and July.
When do nuthatch eggs hatch?
Once a pair of nuthatches selects a nesting cavity, the female will lay a clutch of 5-9 eggs. She incubates the eggs for about 12-14 days before they hatch. The hatchlings are altricial, which means they are naked, blind, and completely dependent upon their parents for food and care.
Incubation Period
Here are the typical incubation periods for common nuthatch species:
Species | Incubation Period |
---|---|
Red-breasted Nuthatch | 12-14 days |
White-breasted Nuthatch | 12-14 days |
Pygmy Nuthatch | 14-15 days |
Nestling phase
After hatching, nuthatch chicks are completely dependent on their parents for warmth, protection, and food. Both the male and female nuthatch will work diligently to bring the nestlings frequent meals of insects. For the first week, one of the parents, usually the female, will brood the chicks to keep them warm. The nestling phase, where the parents care for the young in the nest, lasts for 18-24 days for most nuthatch species.
Nestling Periods
Species | Nestling Period |
---|---|
Red-breasted Nuthatch | 18-21 days |
White-breasted Nuthatch | 16-18 days |
Pygmy Nuthatch | 20-24 days |
Fledging
Once the chicks are fully feathered and strong enough for sustained flight, usually between 18-24 days after hatching, they are ready to fledge (leave the nest). The parents will coax the fledglings out of the nest cavity by enticing them with food. Fledging is a vulnerable time for young birds as they learn to fly and navigate the world outside the nest. Parent nuthatches continue caring for their fledged young for several weeks, feeding them and leading them to foraging sites while teaching them survival skills.
Post-fledging care
Parent nuthatches do not abandon their chicks after they fledge the nest. For the next couple weeks, the parents will continue bringing food to their fledglings and watching over them as they gain flight skills and independence. By late summer, the young nuthatches will be adept foragers and flyers. At this point, they will leave their parents’ territory to establish their own range.
So in summary, nuthatch chicks fledge the nest at around 3 weeks old, but may still be partially dependent on their parents for an additional 1-2 weeks as they transition to independence. Most nuthatches are completely independent by 6-8 weeks after hatching.
Total nesting period
From start to finish, here is the approximate nesting timeline for common nuthatch species:
Species | Incubation | Nestling | Fledgling Dependent | Total Nesting Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
Red-breasted Nuthatch | 12-14 days | 18-21 days | 14-21 days | 44-56 days |
White-breasted Nuthatch | 12-14 days | 16-18 days | 14-21 days | 42-53 days |
Pygmy Nuthatch | 14-15 days | 20-24 days | 14-21 days | 48-60 days |
Factors influencing leaving the nest
The specific timing of when young nuthatches will permanently leave the care of their parents can vary based on several factors:
Number of hatchlings
Broods with more hatchlings may leave the nest earlier as competition for food is higher. Larger broods could force parents to reduce care which motivates the young to become independent sooner.
Food availability
Abundant food sources allow parents to continue supporting fledglings longer. Scarce resources may lead parents to cut off support earlier, forcing young to leave the nest area.
Predation pressure
High predation areas may motivate young nuthatches to develop survival skills and leave quicker. Lower threats allow a longer transition to independence.
Weather
Harsher weather like droughts or cold snaps may truncate the nesting period. Mild conditions allow for a longer transition time.
Nesting site competition
Competition over prime nesting sites may lead parents to drive off fledglings earlier to start a new brood.
Conclusion
Most nuthatch chicks are ready to permanently leave the care of their parents by 6-8 weeks after hatching. This includes around 3 weeks as helpless nestlings completely dependent on the parents, followed by 1-2 weeks as fledglings with some parental support. The exact timing depends on factors like brood size, food availability, and weather conditions. But under normal circumstances, nuthatch parents can expect to have an empty next by mid to late summer, about 6-8 weeks after eggs hatch.