Pygmy Nuthatch -- South Dakota Birds

Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta pygmaea

Sociable birds, Pygmy Nuthatches are most often seen in small groups as they forage for pine seeds and insects.  Their social behavior extends to the breeding season, when nests may have "helper" birds which assist the mating pair in bringing food to the young.  Rarely found away from pine forests of the western U.S., they are typically only found in the Black Hills in South Dakota.

Habitat: Found primarily in ponderosa pine forests.  They can also occasionally be found in other types of pine forests, in pinyon-juniper woodlands, and in redwood canyons.  

Diet: Primarily feeds on insects in the summer.  The winter diet includes many seeds, especially pine seeds.  

Nesting: April through June

Breeding Map: Breeding Bird Survey map

Song: To listen to this bird, click here to go to the "E-nature.com" site for the Pygmy Nuthatch, and click on "listen to this species".

Migrations: Generally a permanent resident throughout their range, but may move to lower elevations in years with a poor pine-seed crop.  

Feeders: Will attend feeders for various nuts and seeds.

Similar Species: Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch

Status: Generally stable, although local declines evident in areas of heavy logging. 

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Pygmy Nuthatch

2) E-nature.com: Pygmy Nuthatch

Photo Information: September 9th, 2006 -- Near Greer, Arizona -- Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click here for additional higher-resolution photos of this species.

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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl

This page was last edited on 02/03/08