Red-breasted Nuthatch -- South Dakota Birds

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensis

A very tame winter visitor to home feeders in the state.  Winter numbers vary greatly from year to year.  They can migrate very early in the fall, often already arriving by September (as with the bird in the photo to the right).. 

Habitat: Nearly always conifer-dominated forests during nesting season, also other trees during winter.   

Diet: Primarily insects in the summer, many seeds in the winter. 

Nesting: May through July

Breeding map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Red-breasted Nuthatch Song

Migrations: Great variation in winter numbers from year to year.  Permanent resident in the Black Hills.

Feeders: Sunflower seeds and suet.

Similar Species: White-breasted Nuthatch, Pygmy Nuthatch

Status: Populations are generally increasing throughout their normal range.

Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Red-breasted Nuthatch

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Red-breasted Nuthatch"

3) eNature.com: Red-breasted Nuthatch

Photo Information: September 7th, 2007 - Newton Hills State Park - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Red-breasted Nuthatch photos.

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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