Nuthatches are small, active songbirds characterized by their ability to climb down trees headfirst. With their small bodies, short tails, and powerful feet and claws, nuthatches creep along trunks and branches probing the bark for hidden insects. While most nuthatches in North America have bluish-gray upperparts and whitish underparts, some species have brown, chestnut, or reddish coloring on their bodies. If you spot what looks like a nuthatch exploring a tree trunk but notice it has brown upperparts instead of the typical bluish-gray, you may be seeing one of several species. Here are some possibilities:
Brown-headed Nuthatch
The brown-headed nuthatch is found in pine forests across the southeastern United States. As its name suggests, it has a brown cap and nape that contrast with its white face and underparts. It shares the same behaviors as other nuthatches, walking down trunks and branches probing for food. Though less common than white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches in most areas, brown-headed nuthatches may be locally common where they occur.
Eurasian Nuthatch
The Eurasian nuthatch is native to Europe and parts of Asia but has been introduced in areas of North America, including parts of Canada. It is blue-gray on its back and wings like other nuthatches but has a rich reddish-brown belly. Its habit of creeping along branches and trunks hunting for insects is very similar to North American nuthatch species.
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
Found in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama, the aptly named chestnut-vented nuthatch has a chestnut brown belly that contrasts with its blue-gray back and cap. Its range just reaches the southernmost parts of North America in Panama. It forages on trees and even uses small pieces of bark to conceal insect prey while digging it out, sometimes wedging the bark in crevices.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
The red-breasted nuthatch is a common species across Canada and the western and northern United States. Males have a black cap and blue-gray back like other nuthatches but have rusty washed underparts unlike the white belly of white-breasted nuthatches. Females have more subdued reddish-orange hues below. Though they can be locally common, they are less numerous than white-breasted nuthatches over most of their range.
Differences Between Nuthatches
While the species mentioned above all have brownish coloration compared to the more familiar blue-gray nuthatches, there are some key differences to note when identifying them:
Range
Brown-headed nuthatches occur only in the Southeast, Eurasian nuthatches have been introduced in parts of Canada, and the chestnut-vented nuthatch has a very limited range in Central America. The red-breasted nuthatch has the widest distribution across northern North America. Paying attention to location is a good first clue to identification.
Face and Cap Color
Brown-headed nuthatches have a brown cap against a white face. Eurasian and red-breasted nuthatches have black caps and white faces. Only the chestnut-vented nuthatch has a blue-gray cap.
Underpart Color
The chestnut-vented nuthatch has a rich chestnut belly while the Eurasian has deep reddish-brown underparts. The red-breasted has paler, more washed out orange-brown on its belly and breast.
Behavior
All these nuthatch species share the behavior of walking down trunks and branches to search for food. However, the Eurasian nuthatch is more likely to wedge bark into crevices to expose hidden insects than North American species.
Habitat and Food Sources
To find one of these brown-toned nuthatches, look in the right habitat and watch for their feeding behaviors:
Brown-headed Nuthatch
These nuthatches are found exclusively in stands of pine trees, including both old growth and second growth pine forests. They particularly favor loblolly pine but will use other southern yellow pines as well. Watch for them foraging on the trunks and branches of these trees. They mainly eat insects but also seeds from pines.
Eurasian Nuthatch
In North America, Eurasian nuthatches are found mainly in mature deciduous or mixed forests, favoring areas with large oak trees. They frequent tree trunks of species like oaks, maples, poplars and elms while searching for insects. They will also visit feeders for seeds and nuts.
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
This nuthatch inhabits lower mountain slopes in Central America with oak and pine forests. It forages on both the trunks and leaves of oaks and other trees, eating mainly insects like beetles, caterpillars and ants.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Look for red-breasted nuthatches in coniferous forests across northern North America. They use a variety of conifers, including pines, spruces, firs, hemlocks and larches. Their diet includes insects and seeds from conifer cones. They are regular visitors to bird feeders with sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Nesting Habits
Cavities in the dead snags of trees provide essential nesting sites for nuthatches. Their nesting habits include:
Brown-headed Nuthatch
This species excavates its own nest cavities in dead pines. Though they may reuse nest sites from previous years, they create a new cavity each breeding season. The nest is lined with shredded bark, grasses and feathers.
Eurasian Nuthatch
Eurasian nuthatches nest in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes in dead trees. They will excavate the entrance hole if needed to enlarge it. The nest cup is made from grasses, bark flakes and feathers.
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
This small nuthatch excavates its own nest holes, usually in dead oaks or pines. The nest is made of grass, moss, feathers and fur. Both parents help build the nest and feed nestlings.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-breasted nuthatches nest in cavities they excavate in dead conifers, especially pines and firs. The nest cavity is lined with soft materials like grasses, bark strips, feathers and fur.
Conservation Status
Most of these brownish nuthatch species remain common within their ranges:
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Still a common species in Southeastern pine forests. Populations decreased with loss of mature pines but are rebounding with forest regrowth.
Eurasian Nuthatch
This introduced species is common and increasing its range in parts of Canada but is not considered a conservation concern.
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch
With its limited Central American range, this species has a relatively small global population. But it remains fairly common within its mountain habitat.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Abundant and widespread across northern forests. Populations fluctuate but are not currently threatened.
Enjoying Backyard Nuthatches
While seeing unfamiliar brownish nuthatches may require some travel to their limited habitats, you can attract some species to your own backyard:
Offer Black Oil Sunflower Seed
This small seed is a favorite of nuthatches of all colors. Offer it in hopper or tube feeders.
Supply Suet
Insect-eating nuthatches relish suet. Hang suet cages or blocks where they can cling upside down.
Provide Nest Boxes
Red-breasted nuthatches may use nest boxes with a 1 1/8″ entrance hole. Face away from prevailing winds and rain.
Keep Dead Trees
Snags provide natural cavities for nesting and roosting. Avoid removing dead, unthreatening trees.
Reduce Pesticides
Chemicals reduce the insects that nuthatches rely on, especially during breeding season. Use non-chemical methods in your yard.
Plant Native Trees
Planting pine, oak and other native trees supports the habitats nuthatches favor and their insect food sources.
Watching nuthatches scurry down tree trunks in your backyard or neighborhood is an entertaining treat. Getting to know species like the brown-headed, Eurasian, chestnut-vented and red-breasted nuthatch requires seeking them out in their preferred pine and oak forests. But familiarizing yourself with their appearance, voices, habits and habitats will help you identify these brown-hued nuthatches when you are lucky enough to encounter them. With some care for mature trees and efforts to landscape with native plants, we can ensure thriving habitats exist for these unique birds into the future.
