Red-breasted nuthatches (Sitta canadensis) are small songbirds found across North America. They are active, agile little birds that can be identified by their blue-gray upperparts, rusty underparts, and distinctive black eyeline. Red-breasted nuthatches are found in coniferous forests across much of Canada and the western United States. They breed in boreal forests and mountain pine forests and are found year-round in lower-elevation coniferous forests along the Pacific Coast. During the winter, some red-breasted nuthatches will irrupt south into more temperate areas of North America in search of food.
Breeding Range
The red-breasted nuthatch breeds across Canada and Alaska, south along the Rocky Mountains to southern Arizona and New Mexico, and in the Appalachian Mountains. Their breeding habitat consists of coniferous forests, especially pine forests. They prefer mature forests with large, old trees for nesting and foraging.
Some key details about the red-breasted nuthatch’s breeding range include:
- Breeds across Canada, including in boreal forests in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia.
- Breeds in coniferous forests along the Rockies from Alaska and Yukon south to Arizona and New Mexico.
- Breeds in isolated pockets of coniferous forest in the western Great Lakes region.
- Breeds in the pine and fir forests of the Appalachian Mountains from southern Canada south to Georgia.
- Prefers mature pine forests, including ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and pinyon pine. Also found in mixed coniferous forests.
- Nests in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, usually 20-60 feet above ground.
The red-breasted nuthatch’s breeding habitat centers on mature coniferous forests, particularly pine forests, across Canada and the western half of the United States. They nest in cavities in large, old trees and forage on pine seeds and insects found on the trunks and branches.
Winter Range
During the winter months, red-breasted nuthatches can be found across much of North America. Some key details about their winter range include:
- Winters across southern Canada and most of the United States.
- More common along the Pacific Coast, in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Southeast.
- Irrupts south and east some years when pine cone crops fail farther north.
- Winters in both coniferous and deciduous forests and even wooded suburban areas.
- Visits backyard bird feeders for suet and seeds.
Red-breasted nuthatches are considered short-distance migrants, meaning they don’t migrate very far between their breeding and wintering grounds. However, in years when their preferred pine seed crops fail farther north, they will irrupt south in large numbers in search of food. This mainly occurs in boreal forest regions.
Region | Winter Distribution |
---|---|
West | Common along Pacific Coast from southern Alaska to Baja California. Found inland across mountain West wherever conifers present. |
Midwest | Uncommon but regular across region south of Canada. More common some winters during irruptions. |
Northeast | Common year-round resident across region south through mid-Atlantic states. |
Southeast | Uncommon but regular winter visitor, mainly in Appalachian Mountains. |
As this table shows, red-breasted nuthatches are most consistently found along the Pacific Coast and in the Northeast year-round. During irruption years, they will turn up more often across the interior U.S. They are uncommon but regular in the Southeast.
Habitat
Red-breasted nuthatches occupy coniferous forests across much of their range. They are found in both lowland and montane coniferous forests, preferably with a high density of old or dead trees. Their preferred habitats include:
- Boreal forest – spruce, fir, pine, cedar
- Coastal coniferous forest – Douglas fir, redwood, pine
- Mountain coniferous forest – pine, fir, spruce
- Pinyon-juniper woodland
The most important habitat requirements for red-breasted nuthatches are an abundance of conifers and the presence of dead or dying trees. They rely on conifer seeds for food and decaying trees provide nesting sites. During winter, they are also willing to visit mixed forests, wooded suburbs, and backyards with feeders.
Key Components of Habitat
Some key components that red-breasted nuthatches look for in good habitat include:
- Conifers – pine, spruce, fir provide seeds and resin to feed on
- Large, old trees – nest in cavities usually 20-60 feet up
- Standing dead trees – provide nesting sites and insect food
- Peeling bark – exposes insects to feed on
- Dense understory – provides cover from predators
Mature coniferous forests with plenty of large, old trees and dead snags provide everything red-breasted nuthatches need to thrive. They especially rely on pine forests across the western half of their range.
Range Map
Here is a map showing the year-round and breeding range of the red-breasted nuthatch across North America:
As this range map illustrates, red-breasted nuthatches occupy a broad range across Canada and the western United States. The dark green shows where they are found year-round, including coastal and mountain coniferous forests. The light green indicates breeding grounds, primarily boreal forests across Canada. The blue shows areas where they will irrupt during winter if cone crops are poor farther north.
Conclusion
In summary, red-breasted nuthatches are tiny songbirds that inhabit coniferous forests across much of North America. Their breeding habitat centers on mature pine forests in Canada and the western mountain ranges where they nest in cavities and feed on pine seeds. In winter, they can be found across southern Canada and the U.S., especially along the West Coast and Northeast regions. Their preferred habitat features plenty of old conifers for nesting and feeding. Though small, red-breasted nuthatches are active, agile little birds that add lively energy to their forest homes.