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Public ForumQuestions and Answers: Questions, answers, comments ..........White-breasted Nuthatches

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White-breasted Nuthatches

#1 · 02/26/2025, 8:10 AM

Yesterday afternoon we had two White-breasted Nuthatches feeding on the stones under our feeders. Isn't this rather unusual?

Carol, I think it is unusual - especially this time of year. In fact I will go out on a limb (no pun intended!) and say it is quite rare. I have seen a few of these nuthatches on the ground, but it has always been juveniles who somehow dropped to the ground and then seem a bit confused as to how they got there - and you can always hear their parents calling to them from up in the trees. "Get back up here where you belong!" is what I imagine the parents are saying. I am guessing you have seeds down in those stones and that has attracted them, but in my experience to see this nuthatch foraging on the ground is not just unusual or rare, except for errant juveniles right out of the nest hole, I have never observed this. This would mean these nuthatches understand seeds can be lodged down in or around the stones. But how would nuthatches know that as they spend all their time in trees? But obviously, yours do - how was this learned?

Those of you reading this - any thoughts? Observations? And Carol is seeing White-breasted Nuthatches. Any observations about foraging on the ground for any of the other species of nuthatch? Red-breasted? Brown-headed? Pygmy???? This is interesting behavior!

And I have learned never to say 'never' when talking about birds because as soon as I say 'never', I turn around and there is a bird doing exactly what I just said it would never do! Linda

#2 · 02/27/2025, 1:04 PM

Good morning (ok, now it is afternoon - took too long to get the pictures that I wanted) ... it's the ole Bearman again.... lol

Yes, I have seen nuthatches (only white-breasted, so far) finding seeds on the "ground". In the attached pictures, you will see a concrete circle that is our septic tank cover. And many days I spread some seed on it - and the birds (and, unfortunately squirrels) love it. = clear and easy access. So I have seen a nuthatch there, and on the ground beneath the hanging feeders on rare occasions also. Just as I was taking the attached pictures, an hour or so ago, there was a nuthatch on the concrete for an instant - so I was not able to get an actual photo. I even waited around for 15-20 minutes to see if it would come back, but it did not and I wanted to get this note out and on its way.

The nuthatches also do a great job of eating from several of my feeders - getting sunflower hearts, peanuts and suet.

I included the red-bellied in one photo because I wanted to share another behavior that I thought was "cute". When I have observed the red-bellies eating off of the concrete/ground, I notice that they will turn their heads to the side, so that it is easier to pick up the seed or nut. I would assume that this is due to the length and narrowness of their bills, that they have discovered that turning their heads/bills to the side makes it easier to grasp the intended nutrient...?

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#3 · 02/28/2025, 2:56 PM

Another day - another opportunity.

I realize that the situation is "staged", with the seed so clearly on the ground/concrete, and not like the nuthatches have to go "digging" for it - but it does demonstrate that the species is able and willing to seek food other than in/on a tree, or hanging feeder (which the birds here utilize quite frequently).

I apologize that the photo is not quite as clear/sharp as we would like - but again, with their quickness, I thought that this picture was 'tolerable'. ;0)

bdp 2/28 <3pm

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