Red-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta canadensis

Tree Clinging

Length: 5 in. (11 cm )

Distinctive in its ability to walk down tree trunks head first, the small Red-breasted Nuthatch is readily identified. It occurs in mature coniferous forest and high altitude aspens where it feeds on insects from the bark and, during the winter, on pine cone seeds. Its nest is in a cavity dug out of a rotting branch or stump.

The four-digit banding code is RBNU.

Male | Herbert Clarke

Female | Oliver Niehuis

Fir forest

Oak-pine woodland

Download Sound

Bird Sound Type: Buzzing
Sex of Bird: Male

Sonogram Large:

Sonogram Zoom:

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-breasted-nuthatch

Bibliographic details:

Article: Red-breasted Nuthatch
Author(s): Dr. Biology
Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
Date published: 13 Jul, 2017
Date accessed:
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-breasted-nuthatch

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Thu, 07/13/2017 - 15:37). Red-breasted Nuthatch. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-breasted-nuthatch

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Red-breasted Nuthatch". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-breasted-nuthatch

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Red-breasted Nuthatch". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 13 Jul 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/bird/red-breasted-nuthatch

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

A close-up image of barley, an edible crop from the grass family

What is regenerative agriculture?

Answer >>

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon Contribute