Nuthatches

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

by Trever Smith Sep 09, 2018 0 comments

The Red-Breasted Nuthatch is commonly found in the dark areas of the map in all seasons of the year and the lighter shade of grey shows them to be more uncommon in the winter time. These birds usually brood once a year, having a clutch size of 5-6 and sometimes 4-7 eggs. The eggs are white with reddish brown spots. Incubation is about 12 days.

Their diet is mainly insects and seeds. Going down trees head first, looking for insects to eat and in the winter time when insects are low, they like to eat conifer seeds.

FEED

If you wish to attract the Red-breasted nuthatch to your yard; listed below are some of the food types that these birds prefer.

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Black Oil Sunflower Seed

Hulled Sunflower Seeds

Mealworms

Suet

Peanut Hearts

Peanuts

FEEDERS

Listed below are the type of feeders Red-Breasted Nuthatches prefer to use. Each category shows example of pictures to give you some idea..

TUBE FEEDERS

Any style or size that can be filled with Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Hulled Sunflower Seeds, Peanut Hearts, and Peanuts

HOPPER FEEDERS

Any size and style can be used to fill it with Hulled Sunflower Seeds,Peanuts, Peanut Hearts and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

PLATFORM FEEDER

Any size and style you choose. All of the feed that was mentioned above, can be place on a platform feeder, including suet and mealworms.

SUET FEEDERS

Any size, style, or combination feeder that holds suet and bird feed.

MEAL WORM FEEDERS

Any size and style of mealworm feeder will work

BIRDHOUSES

Any style and shape of birdhouse that is closely related to the interior dimensions of a 4" x 4" floor to as big as a 5.5" x 5.5" floor. Walls as high as 8" - 10" and an entry hole 1.25" in diameter, that is 6"-8" from the floor. Place your birdhouse entry hole away from the most windy direction where you live. The height of the birdhouse can be place anywhere from 5' to 15' in a partial sun and shade. If you plan on placing more than one birdhouse for the Red-Breasted Nuthatch, place your birdhouses 150' apart, to avoid territorial denomination. Listed below are some example of some birdhouses.

NOTE:

Red-Breasted Nuthatches usually excavate their own nest cavities in dead trees and rarely use nest boxes. Nest boxes will be successful, in areas where there are no dead trees.

Brown-Headed Nuthatch

by Trever Smith Apr 20, 2018 0 comments

The shaded area in the map shows the Brown-Headed Nuthatch living all year long.

Usually have 1 brood a year with a clutch size of 3-7 eggs that are white cream color with brown dots. Incubation is about 14 days and nestling is 18-19 days.

Their diet is mostly insects in the summer and pine seeds in the winter months.

FEED

If you wish to attract Brown-Headed Nuthatch to your yard by feeding them. Listed below are some of the food options Brown-Headed Nuthatches prefer.

Peanuts

Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Hulled Sunflower Seeds

FEEDER

If you want to attract the Brown-Headed Nuthatch to your yard using feeders. Listed below are the feeders, Brown-Headed Nuthatch prefer. The pictures below, are examples of each category.

PLATFORM FEEDER

Any size, shape, or style can be used. All the food mention above can be place in a platform feeder; also known as tray feeders or fly thru feeders.

TUBE FEEDERS

Any size, shape or style can be used, designed to hold one or a variety of the following: Peanuts, sunflower seeds and peanut hearts.

HOPPER FEEDERS

Any style, shape, or size can be used, designed to use one or a variety of the following: peanuts, sunflower seeds, or peanut hearts.

SUET

Any size, style or shape can be used. A combination suet feeder with birdseed or a single suet feeder'

MEALWORM FEEDERS

Any size, shape, or style that is designed to hold mealworms

BIRDHOUSES

Any size, style or shape of birdhouse with the interior dimensions closely related to a 4" x 4" floor to a 5.5" x 5.5" floor. Interior height of 8"-10". An entrance hole of 1" in diameter that is 6"-8" off from the floor.

You can place your birdhouse 5'-15' with the entry hole facing any direction. If you plan to put more than one birdhouse up for a Brown-Headed Nuthatch, place your nest boxes 625' apart to avoid territorial denomination.

Pictures below are some example of acceptable birdhouses for the brown-headed nuthatch.

NOTE:

You can purchase a bluebird house for the brown-headed nuthatch since they too accept the same dimensions as the bluebirds. You will have to reduce the hole size, since bigger birds will take over the nuthatch box.