Brown-headed Nuthatch of the Southeastern U. S.

Small nuthatch; climbs headfirst down tree trunks.
Crown brown.
Underparts whitish.
Back, nape, wings, and rump blue gray.
Size: 10-11 cm (4-4 in)
Wingspan: 16-18 cm (6-7 in)
Weight: 10 g (0.35 ounces)

Sex Differences
Sexes alike.

Sound
Calls are high pitched and squeaky, like the squeaks of a rubber duck toy.
Hear the songs of the Brown-headed Nuthatch.

Conservation Status
Decreasing throughout range because of habitat degradation. The population on Grand Bahama Island, which is possibly a distinct subspecies, is nearly gone, probably the result of logging. Listed on the Audubon Watchlist.

In the pine forests of the Southeast, little groups of Brown-headed Nuthatches are frequent visitors at sunflower seed feeders. They also enjoy suet. After Hurricane Katrina we saw many more Brown-headed Nuthatches at our feeders because most of their natural food, pine nuts, had been destroyed along with the thousands of mature Pine trees.

According to Martin, Zim and Nelson in American Wildlife & Plants A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits, pine seeds make up more than half of their diet. Their animal food is gathered from the trunks and twigs of trees and consists of Hymenoptera, moth eggs, caterpillars and cocoons and scale insects. Plant food consists primarily of Pine seeds.

During the winter the family groups may join and forage with other families or with mixed-species flocks containing woodpeckers, kinglets, titmice and warblers.

Brown-headed Nuthatches nest in natural cavities and man-made boxes. They seem to favor the natural cavities in our habitat. This year was the first time that they used one of our bluebird sized nestboxes.

They are monogamous and will sometimes mate for life. Very often a Nuthatch pair will have a young family member (usually a yearling male) who acts as a helper or "nanny". We observed that there was always one adult bird either on the nest or very close by. All of the adult birds care for the young. The pair that used our nest box fledged six little nuthatches.

Nest building begins in March, here in South Louisiana. Excavation of a natural cavity is done by both male and female and may take 6 weeks to complete. Some Brown-headed Nuthatches will weatherproof their nest cavities by stuffing plant down or cotton in the crevices.

Other Facts about Reproduction from All About Birds

Nest Type
Nests in holes in trees, usually dead trees. Will use nest box. Nest made primarily of pine seed wings, with bark shreds, Spanish moss, grass rootlets, fur, feathers, and other soft material.

Egg Description and Laying
White or buffy, with reddish brown spots evenly distributed over egg or concentrated as blotches at large end are laid one a day.

Clutch Size and Incubation
Usually 3-7 eggs. Range: 3-9. The female incubates the clutch for 14 days. During this time she may be fed, on and off the nest, by the male and the helper.

Condition at Hatching and Fledging
Young are helpless and with some down. They leave the nest after about 18 to 19 days. The fledglings are dependent on their parents for another 24 to 26 days.

Visit our Naturally Native Gallery to see more nature related designs.