What fun it is to see these flashy little birds in Minnesota.

I’m happy when a Red-breasted Nuthatch shows up at my feeder because these small, active birds are a rare sighting here for me and have proven not easy to see in this part of the country. Their nasal “yank-yank” call is distinctive and watching them move headfirst down tree trunks is something most birds can’t do. The white eyebrow stripe and rusty breast make them easy to identify.

What I find most interesting is their unusual nesting habit: they smear pine resin around their nest entrance holes, likely to keep out predators and competitors, while carefully avoiding getting stuck themselves. These birds also cache hundreds of seeds in bark crevices throughout fall and winter. Their appearance at my Minnesota feeder sometimes indicates an “irruption year” when cone crops fail up north, sending these nomadic birds southward in search of food. It makes seeing them feel like a visit from the northern forests.

Species Identification

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a small, compact songbird with distinctive markings:

• Size: 4.3-4.7 inches (11-12 cm) long; wingspan 7.9-8.7 inches (20-22 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-14 g)
• Head: Bold white eyebrow stripe (supercilium) with black eye line and cap
• Underparts: Rusty-orange to cinnamon-red breast and belly
• Upperparts: Blue-gray back and wings
• Bill: Long, slightly upturned, chisel-like
• Tail: Short with white spots on outer feathers
• Sexual dimorphism: Males have darker black caps and richer rust coloring; females have grayer caps and paler underparts

Behavior: Characteristically moves headfirst down tree trunks and branches (unlike woodpeckers that move upward)

Geographic Distribution

Breeding Range

• Boreal and montane coniferous forests across Canada and Alaska
• Western mountains (Rockies, Cascades, Sierra Nevada) south to Arizona and New Mexico
• Northeastern United States through the Great Lakes region
• Appalachian Mountains south to Tennessee and North Carolina

Year-round Range

• Much of southern Canada and northern/mountainous United States
• Areas with mature coniferous or mixed forests

Summer Range

During breeding season (May-August), Red-breasted Nuthatches concentrate in:

• Boreal spruce-fir forests of Canada and Alaska
• High-elevation coniferous forests in western mountains
• Mixed conifer-hardwood forests in northeastern states
• They prefer mature forests with abundant cone-producing trees (spruce, fir, pine, hemlock)

Winter Range

• Irruptive Migration Pattern: Winter distribution varies dramatically year to year based on cone crop success
• Good Cone Years: Many birds remain in breeding territories or move short distances
• Poor Cone Years (irruption years): Massive southward movements occur, with birds appearing in:

• Throughout the United States, including southern states (Gulf Coast, Florida)
• Urban and suburban areas far from breeding range
• Deciduous forests and parks normally outside their range
• These irruptions typically occur every 2-4 years

Typical Winter Range: Southern Canada through northern and western United States, with concentrations where conifer seeds are abundant

Mating Behavior

Pair Formation

• Pairs form in late winter/early spring
• Some pairs remain together year-round or reunite in successive seasons
• Males perform courtship displays including singing, wing-spreading, and tail-raising

Courtship Feeding: Males feed females during courtship and incubation

Territoriality: Pairs defend breeding territories aggressively, even against larger birds

Breeding Season: April through July, with timing varying by latitude and elevation

Monogamy: Generally monogamous within a breeding season

Nesting Behavior

Nest Site Selection

• Excavate cavities in dead or decaying trees (snags)
• Prefer soft, rotting wood 5-40 feet above ground
• Sometimes use old woodpecker holes or nest boxes
• Both sexes excavate, taking 12-18 days

Unique Behavior – “Pitch Protection”

• Apply conifer resin (pitch) around nest entrance hole
• Both adults carry resin in their bills
• May reduce predation and competition from other cavity nesters
• Adults approach nest entrance with specific flight pattern to avoid getting stuck in resin

Nest Construction

• Line cavity with grass, bark strips, moss, fur, and feathers
• Nest cup typically 2-3 inches deep

Clutch Size: 4-7 eggs (average 5-6)

Eggs: White to pinkish-white with reddish-brown speckles

Incubation

• 12-13 days
• Female incubates; male feeds her
• Female develops brood patch

Parental Care

Nestling Period

• 18-21 days in nest
• Both parents feed young
• Diet consists primarily of insects and spiders

Feeding Rate: Parents make 100-150+ feeding trips per day

Fledgling Care

• Young remain with parents 2-3 weeks after fledging
• Parents continue feeding and teaching foraging techniques
• Family groups may remain together through early fall

Broods: Typically one brood per year; occasionally two in southern parts of range

Parental Investment: Both sexes invest heavily in offspring care, with relatively equal contribution to feeding

Diet

Primary Foods

• Seeds: Conifer seeds (spruce, fir, pine, hemlock) – especially important in fall/winter
• Insects: Beetles, caterpillars, ants, wasps, true bugs
• Spiders: Important protein source
• Insect eggs and pupae: Gleaned from bark crevices

Seasonal Variation

• Spring/Summer: 70-80% insects and spiders (high protein for breeding)
• Fall/Winter: 50-70% seeds, supplemented with dormant insects

Foraging Behavior

• Probe bark crevices with bill
• Hang upside down on branches and cones
• Cache seeds in bark crevices for winter (hundreds of locations)
• Use feet to hold large seeds while hammering with bill
• Move headfirst down trunks using strong feet and claws

Feeder Foods: Sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet, mealworms, seed cylinders

Vocalizations

Primary Call – “Yank” Call

• Nasal, tin-horn-like “yank-yank-yank” or “ank-ank-ank”
• Higher-pitched and more nasal than White-breasted Nuthatch
• Used for contact, territory defense, and alarm
• Often described as sounding like a tiny tin horn

Song

• Rapid series of nasal notes: “wha-wha-wha-wha-wha”
• Males sing during breeding season
• Less musical than many songbirds

Other Vocalizations

• Soft “hit” or “pit” notes during foraging
• Aggressive chattering during territorial disputes
• Quiet begging calls from juveniles

Call Frequency: Very vocal; calls frequently while foraging, making them easy to locate

Molting

Timing

• Prebasic (complete) molt: July-September after breeding
• Single annual molt replaces all feathers
• Takes approximately 2-3 months

Sequence

• Begins with body feathers
• Proceeds to flight feathers (primaries, secondaries, tail)
• Symmetrical wing molt maintains flight capability

Appearance During Molt

• May appear slightly ragged or patchy
• Flight may be less agile temporarily
• Birds often quieter and less conspicuous

Juvenile Molt

• Partial molt in first fall
• Replaces body feathers but retains juvenile flight feathers
• Completed by late fall

Color Vision

Avian Color Vision: Like most songbirds, Red-breasted Nuthatches have:

• Tetrachromatic vision: Four types of color receptors (vs. three in humans)
• Can see ultraviolet (UV) light invisible to humans
• Superior color discrimination, especially in blue-UV spectrum

Functional Significance

• Foraging: Detect insects and larvae by UV reflection patterns on bark
• Mate Selection: Plumage may have UV components affecting mate choice
• Food Selection: Identify ripe seeds and nutritious food sources
• Navigation: Use UV patterns in sky for orientation

Oil Droplets: Specialized oil droplets in cone cells enhance color contrast and reduce glare

Urban Adaptation

Adaptability: Moderately adaptable to human-modified landscapes

Urban Habitats

• Parks with mature conifers
• Suburban neighborhoods with evergreen trees
• Cemeteries and golf courses with mixed plantings
• Campgrounds in forested areas

Urban Challenges

• Require mature trees for nesting
• Less successful in heavily developed areas
• Window collisions during irruption years
• Reduced natural food sources

Urban Advantages

• Bird feeders provide supplemental food
• Reduced predation in some areas
• Nest boxes can substitute for natural cavities
• Year-round water sources

Tolerance: Less urban-tolerant than White-breasted Nuthatches; prefer areas with substantial tree cover

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Least Concern

Population Trend: Generally stable, with local variations

Estimated Population: 18-20 million individuals in North America

Threats

• Habitat loss: Logging of mature coniferous forests
• Climate change: Shifts in conifer distribution and cone production
• Forest fragmentation: Reduces suitable breeding habitat
• Snag removal: Eliminates nesting sites
• Pesticide use: Reduces insect prey

Conservation Advantages

• Large geographic range
• Adaptable to various forest types
• Benefits from forest management that retains snags
• Readily uses nest boxes

Monitoring

• North American Breeding Bird Survey
• Christmas Bird Count
• eBird citizen science data
• Project FeederWatch

Ensuring They Thrive in Your Yard (Minnesota-Specific)

Habitat Enhancement

Plant Native Conifers

• White Pine (Pinus strobus) – excellent for nesting and seeds
• Red Pine (Pinus resinosa) – provides seeds and nesting habitat
• White Spruce (Picea glauca) – important food source
• Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) – seeds and nesting sites
• Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) – if site appropriate
• Aim for mature trees (15+ years old)

Maintain Dead Trees (Snags)

• Leave standing dead conifers when safe
• Provide natural nesting cavities
• Also attract insect prey

Create Vertical Structure

• Mix of tree heights and ages
• Dense canopy for cover
• Open understory for flight access

Food Sources

Year-Round Feeders

• Black-oil sunflower seeds: High fat content, preferred food
• Suet cakes: Especially important in winter; choose no-melt versions for summer
• Peanuts: Whole or shelled, in feeders or mesh bags
• Seed cylinders: Nuthatches excel at clinging to these
• Mealworms: Live or dried, especially during breeding season

Feeder Types

• Tube feeders with perches
• Hopper feeders
• Suet cages
• Platform feeders (less preferred but will use)
• Peanut feeders (wire mesh)

Natural Food Sources

• Allow cones to remain on trees
• Don’t over-clean yard – leave some insects
• Avoid pesticide use

Water Features

Year-Round Water

• Birdbath: 1-2 inches deep, with rough surface
• Heated birdbath: Critical in Minnesota winters
• Dripper or fountain: Moving water attracts attention
• Ground-level options: Natural-looking water features

Maintenance

• Clean weekly to prevent disease
• Refresh water daily in summer
• Keep ice-free in winter

Nesting Support

Nest Boxes

• Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ floor, 8-10″ interior height
• Entrance hole: 1⅛” to 1¼” diameter
• Placement: 5-15 feet high on tree trunk or pole
• Location: Near conifers, facing away from prevailing winds
• Mounting: Attach to dead snag or live tree
• Fill: Add 2-3 inches of wood shavings (they’ll excavate)

Timing: Install boxes by March in Minnesota

Maintenance

• Clean out old nests in fall
• Check for wasp nests before breeding season
• Don’t disturb active nests

Seasonal Considerations for Minnesota

Spring (March-May)

• Clean and refill feeders after winter
• Provide mealworms for breeding birds
• Ensure nest boxes are ready
• Offer nesting materials (pet fur, moss)

Summer (June-August)

• Maintain insect populations (no pesticides)
• Keep feeders stocked but clean (prevent mold)
• Provide fresh water daily
• Watch for fledglings learning to forage

Fall (September-November)

• Stock feeders with high-fat foods
• Watch for irruption migrants
• Allow seed heads and cones to remain
• Prepare heated birdbath

Winter (December-February)

• Maintain feeders consistently (birds depend on them)
• Offer suet and high-calorie foods
• Keep water ice-free
• Provide windbreaks (evergreen plantings)

Predator Management

Reduce Risks

• Place feeders 10-12 feet from dense cover (prevents cat ambush)
• Install baffles on feeder poles
• Keep cats indoors
• Place nest boxes away from easy climbing routes

Avoid Hazards

Window Strikes

• Apply window decals or screens
• Place feeders within 3 feet or beyond 30 feet from windows
• Use exterior netting or film

Chemical Hazards

• Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and rodenticides
• Use organic lawn care methods
• Allow natural insect populations

Monitoring and Enjoyment

Observation Tips

• Listen for nasal “yank” calls
• Watch tree trunks for headfirst descent
• Note caching behavior in fall
• Document visits through eBird or Project FeederWatch

Photography

• Set up near feeders with good light
• Capture unique upside-down poses
• Document family groups in summer

Community Action

Broader Impact

• Encourage neighbors to plant native conifers
• Advocate for snag retention in local parks
• Participate in citizen science projects
• Support conservation organizations

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