Red-Breasted Nuthatch in Winter

red-breasted nuthatch on a snowy branch in winter
Red-breasted nuthatch. Image by Sabine Löwer from Pixabay

Appearance: Red-breasted nuthatches are about 4.5″ long, have gray/blue backs, white heads with black stripes running over either eye, orange-cinnamon-colored breasts, and a pointy pick-like beak. Females look the same except their underside is a more faded color.

Winter diet: Insects that are hibernating beneath the tree bark.

Winter feeder food: Suet, sunflower seeds, shelled peanuts, fruit.

Winter habitat: Red-breasted nuthatches are found year-round in northern Canada. While some stay there year-round, many migrate south for the winter and can be found in every US state during that time. They’re usually spotted climbing upside-down on a deciduous tree foraging for insects beneath the bark.

Range Map

Map of the red-breasted nuthatch range
Red-breasted nuthatch range.