Nuthatches are small songbirds that belong to the Sittidae family. They are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Some common species include the red-breasted nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, and pygmy nuthatch. Nuthatches have several unique characteristics that set them apart from other birds:
– They can climb up and down tree trunks and branches. Most other small birds cannot do this. Nuthatches have strong claws and short tails that allow them to brace themselves as they move along bark.
– They nest in cavities, usually old woodpecker holes in dead trees. They do not excavate their own nesting cavities.
– They feed on insects, seeds, and nuts. A nuthatch will jam large nuts and seeds into crevices in tree bark to hack them apart with their long bills.
– They are highly vocal, using loud nasal calls to maintain contact with their mate or signal alarm.
Because they nest in ready-made cavities, nuthatches readily use birdhouses as long as they meet their requirements. When setting up a nuthatch birdhouse, there are some key factors to take into consideration.
Nesting Requirements
Nuthatches have some specific needs when it comes to appropriate nesting sites:
– **Hole diameter:** The entrance hole should be 1-1 1/8″ in diameter. This is wide enough for a nuthatch to get in and out, but too small for larger cavity nesters like starlings.
– **Height placement:** Mount the house 8-15 feet above the ground, away from trunks and dense cover. Nuthatches like their house to be highly visible for easy entry and monitoring for predators.
– **Box depth:** The box should be at least 8-12 inches deep. This gives the birds room to build their nest.
– **No perch:** Nuthatches are able to cling to the entrance without a perch. Perches allow predators to access the hole more easily.
– **Wood type:** Avoid treated lumber which may contain chemicals toxic to birds. Cedar and pine last longer than other soft woods.
– **Protection:** Place metal predator guards or cones below the hole to prevent cats, raccoons, and snakes from reaching in.
– **Location:** Hang houses on mature trees in wooded areas. Deciduous trees provide insects for feeding nestlings in spring.
Nest Box Designs
There are many good nuthatch nest box designs out there. The ideal box mimics the characteristics of natural cavities they nest in. Here are two common options:
Classic Nest Box
This is a basic rectangular nest box made of untreated 3⁄4” wood. Make sure the interior height is at least 6-8” to accommodate the nest. It can be mounted on a tree, pole, or building overhang in suitable nuthatch habitat.
The front panel with the entrance hole should be recessed about 1⁄4” so rain does not get inside. Ventilation holes can be added on the sides up near the roof.
Add predator guards below entrance. Painting the box can help it blend into the surroundings.
Wooden Nuthatch House
This style is made to look like a tiny wooden house, complete with roof, to better blend into natural environments. Redwood or cedar work well for these attractive nest boxes.
It should have the same interior dimensions and hole size as the classic box. Hinged side or roof panels make monitoring and cleaning out old nests easier.
Decorative options like windows, flower boxes, or murals can be added. Just be sure not to obstruct the entrance or make perches near the hole.
Proper Placement
Choosing the right placement is critical for attracting nesting nuthatches. Consider the following guidelines when siting your nuthatch house:
– Face entrance hole east or southeast to avoid prevailing winds and rain.
– Select a tree at least 15-20 feet tall. Dead trees provide ideal natural cavities for nesting.
– Choose a tree in an open area or woodland edge with some mature trees. Avoid dense woods.
– Place 100-300 feet away from busy roads, trails, or human activity.
– Mount securely on trunks, poles, or limbs away from branches and other trees.
– For houses on poles or posts, apply predator guards 2-3 feet up and grease the pole to prevent climbers.
– Put up houses in late winter before breeding season gets underway.
Maintenance
Regular cleaning and upkeep will extend the usable life of your nuthatch nest box. Follow these tips:
– In autumn, clean out old nesting material after young have fledged. This prepares it for the next breeding season.
– Check for damages and repair as needed between seasons. Look for leaks, holes, loose lid/panels, splintered wood.
– Apply fresh protective stains or paint if exterior shows wear. Avoid treating inside.
– Monitor boxes weekly during spring and summer for occupants. Don’t disturb active nests.
– Keep nearby vegetation trimmed so parents can see predators approaching.
– Replace house if it becomes too weathered and decrepit. It’s recommended to install new houses every 3-5 years.
Monitoring Success
It can be highly rewarding to monitor your nuthatch box during nesting season. Observe the following signs to determine if your birdhouse has attracted nesting pairs:
– Adults regularly entering and exiting hole in springtime with nesting material like bark, grass, feathers. This means they have claimed the house.
– Sound of chirping nestlings coming from inside later in season. Young make loud begging calls.
– Parents constantly visiting with food like insects, seeds for their nestlings. Listen for pecking sounds.
– Young appearing at hole entrance close to fledging. They will perch and flap wings to build flight muscles.
– Evidence of old nests from previous years. Look for mix of bark, grasses, feathers glued with mud to interior walls.
Avoid opening up house once you confirm it is occupied. Nest abandonment is a risk. Enjoy observing activity outside until the young have successfully fledged later in summer. With proper setup and care, your nuthatch nest box can provide many seasons of enjoyment watching these active little birds raise their families.
Additional Facts About Nuthatches
Here are some more interesting facts about these unique birds that may utilize your nest box:
– Nuthatches get their name from their habit of jamming nuts and acorns into tree crevices, then whacking them with their long bills to hack them open.
– They have powerful feet and sharp claws that allow them to readily cling, walk down, and hop up tree trunks and branches. They even sleep clinging vertically to bark.
– Nuthatches maintain territories year-round instead of migrating. Mated pairs will remain in the same areas they nested in previous years.
– Males and females form strong pair bonds and share equally in nesting duties like incubating eggs and feeding young.
– Parents may smear foul-smelling insects around the entrance of their nest hole to deter predators.
– Nuthatches are vulnerable to cavity-nesting competitors like house sparrows. Sparrows may harass or even kill nuthatches to take over their nest site.
– Red-breasted nuthatches have shown irruptive winter movements south in periodic years when their northern cone crop food sources decline.
– Nuthatches may jam bark flakes, lichen or mud around unused nest holes to reduce their diameter and prevent other birds from entering.
– They are highly vocal all year long, using various rattling calls and loud, ringing alarm calls at intruders near their territory.
So in summary, nuthatches are specialized birds perfectly adapted to nesting in existing tree cavities. Offering them a properly constructed nest box tailored to their needs can help provide vital breeding sites for maintaining populations of these colorful and intrepid little birds. They are sure to reward you with endless hours of free entertainment as you watch them busily shuttle to and from their adopted home raising new families.
