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White-breasted Nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis
Nuthatch family (Sittidae)

Dark crown and nape, white face, gray back, short tail. Creeps headfirst down tree trunks.

Habitat:
Deciduous forest.

Nesting:
Nests in natural cavities in living trees or in old woodpecker holes. Rarely excavates its own cavity. Eggs are white with dark marks. Clutch size – 6 eggs.

Voice:

Call is a series of low nasal “ank ank” notes.

Name Origin:

The genus name Sitta is from the Greek for “nuthatch.”  The species name carolinensis literally means “of Carolina.”  The common name Nuthatch refers to the bird’s tendency to wedge a large nut into a crevice and hack it into small pieces.

In the Nature Park:
Year-round resident.

Photos: