white-breasted nuthatch

The white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a common bird found east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is characterized by a black head, bluish-gray upper parts, and a mostly white underside.1

Nuthatches, as a family, are known for their unique ability to grip tree bark and move both up and down, as well as hang upside down while foraging for insects and seeds. This allows them to access food sources that other birds, like woodpeckers, might miss. They also store seeds in bark crevices and use their bills to crack them open. All nuthatch species are cavity nesters. The white-breasted nuthatch, weighing about 21 grams, is often seen at feeders, enjoying sunflower seeds and suet.2