The nuthatch is a small songbird found throughout North America. These active little birds can be seen hopping up and down tree trunks and branches, probing the bark for insects with their long bills. But being so small, nuthatches have many predators to be wary of. In this article, we’ll take a look at the various animals that prey on nuthatches.
Predators of Adult Nuthatches
Adult nuthatches face threats from both aerial and ground predators. Birds of prey are a major danger to nuthatches. Sharp-shinned hawks and Cooper’s hawks specialize in hunting small songbirds like nuthatches. These agile predators swoop through forests and woodlands snatching unsuspecting birds off branches.
Other birds of prey including falcons, accipiters, and small owls also prey on nuthatches. The eastern screech owl is small enough to maneuver through dense foliage to grab songbirds. Larger owls like the great horned owl hunt nuthatches at night when the birds are resting in cavities.
Mammals are another threat. Tree-climbing raccoons and martens can snag roosting nuthatches from their cavities at night. Felines like bobcats and lynx stalk and ambush birds from the underbrush below. Quick, agile weasels are able to chase nuthatches up trunks and branches.
Some snakes prey on nuthatches, especially rat snakes and racers that climb trees and raid nests full of eggs and nestlings.
Birds of Prey
– Sharp-shinned Hawks
– Cooper’s Hawks
– Northern Goshawks
– Red-shouldered Hawks
– Broad-winged Hawks
– Barred Owls
– Great Horned Owls
– Eastern Screech Owls
– Northern Saw-whet Owls
– Merlins
– Peregrine Falcons
– American Kestrels
Mammals
– Raccoons
– Martens
– Bobcats
– Lynx
– Weasels
– Minks
– Squirrels
– Chipmunks
Reptiles
– Rat Snakes
– Racer Snakes
– Garter Snakes
Predators of Nuthatch Nestlings and Eggs
Nuthatch chicks and eggs in nest cavities also face heavy predation. Nuthatches are vulnerable when incubating eggs and raising helpless nestlings in their tree cavity nest sites.
Squirrels are adept at raiding cavities and consuming eggs. Weasels and raccoons are also able to squeeze into tight spaces and prey on incubating nuthatches and their eggs. Snakes including rat snakes raid nests and devour nestlings.
Woodpeckers like the Northern Flicker will excavate nuthatch nest holes and consume eggs and young. Jays, crows, magpies, and other birds will raid nests when parent birds are away. Tree-climbing opossums also eat eggs and nestlings.
Predators of Eggs and Nestlings
– Squirrels
– Weasels
– Raccoons
– Rat Snakes
– Northern Flickers
– Jays
– Crows
– Magpies
– Opossums
Defense Mechanisms of Nuthatches
Nuthatches have several defensive adaptations to help them avoid predators:
– **Camouflage** – Their muted gray, brown, and white plumage helps nuthatches blend into tree bark and avoid detection.
– **Vigilance** – Nuthatches are very aware of their surroundings and quick to sound alarm calls at potential threats.
– **Mobbing** – Nuthatches mob predators like owls and hawks by gathering in a flock and mobbing the predator. This draws attention and tries to drive the threat away.
– **Nest Defense** – Parent nuthatches are very aggressive in defending their nest hole, mobbing and diving at intruders.
– **Nest Concealment** – Their nest cavities provide safety for eggs and nestlings. Entrances are often narrow to impede predators.
– **Roosting Cavities** – Nuthatches roost in cavities at night for protection from predators.
Adaptations for Avoiding Predation
Nuthatches have several key adaptations that allow them to avoid predators:
– **Hopping locomotion** – Their short legs and powerful feet allow them to hop quickly up, down and sideways along branches and trunks to evade predators.
– **Sharp claws** – Sharp claws provide a strong grip, allowing them to hang upside down beneath branches and scale rough surfaces.
– **Compact shape** – Their compact, round body shape and short tail provides great maneuverability and helps them take cover in crevices.
– **Sharp bill** – Nuthatches have a long, chisel-like bill ideal for probing into crevices in bark for insects, which also helps them excavate nesting cavities.
– **Cryptic coloration** – Their gray, brown and white plumage provides camouflage against the patterns and colors of tree bark.
– **Counter-shading** – Dark upperparts and pale underparts helps conceal their form.
– **Low, fast flight** – When flushed, nuthatches fly low and fast through the trees to escape aerial predators.
Behavioral Adaptations
Nuthatches exhibit several behavioral adaptations that increase their vigilance and help them detect approaching predators:
– **Head-cocking** – Nuthatches frequently cock their heads from side to side to get a better view and listen for danger from all directions.
– **Frequent scanning** – They regularly stop foraging to scan their surroundings for possible threats.
– **Mobbing** – Nuthatches mob predators near their nests by gathering in a flock, calling loudly, dive bombing, and harassing the predator. This draws attention and tries to drive off the threat through distraction and intimidation.
– **Alarm calling** – When detecting a potential predator, nuthatches emit loud “yank” alarm calls to alert other birds in the area. This warning communication allows other nuthatches and species to take evasive action.
– **Roosting in cavities** – Nuthatches roost in tree cavities at night, safely tucked away from nocturnal predators.
Best Habitats for Avoiding Predation
Some key features of nuthatch habitat provide better protection from predators:
– **Mature forests** – Large, old trees with crevices and peeling bark provide more hiding spots.
– **Snags** – Standing dead trees supply cavities for nesting and night roosting.
– **Understory cover** – Dense shrubs and brush impede stalking predators.
– **Evergreen trees** – Conifers offer year-round cover.
– **Clustered trees** – Tightly spaced trees allow nuthatches to escape through the branches.
– **Minimal fragmentation** – Unbroken forest offers more protection than patchy, fragmented woods.
Conclusion
Despite their small size, nuthatches utilize some effective defenses against the many predators they contend with. Their cryptic coloration, maneuverability, nest concealment, vigilance behaviors and mobbing adaptations all help level the playing field. Although many fall prey especially as eggs and nestlings, their high reproductive rate ensures nuthatches remain common across their range.