Fauna Flora Photography

White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis

A common acrobatic bird able to walk head down along tree trunks. Slightly larger and more common than its cousin the Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis).

Specs

Length13-15cm
Weight10-14g
Wingspan20cm

Common Names

GermanCarolinakleiber
EnglishWhite-breasted Nuthatch
FrenchSittelle à poitrine blanche
SpanishTrepador pechiblanco

Taxonomy

OrderPasseriformes
FamilySittidae
SpeciesSitta carolinensis

How to Identify

The belly of this Nuthatch species is completely white, different than to Red-breasted Nuthatch. The black stripe from beak over the head back to the neck is the second criteria. Different to woodpeckers, the bird is able to walk head down on tree trunks and on the bottom of branches.

White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Angrignon - 2023-03-18
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies - 2022-04-15
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2022-02-26
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Angrignon - 2016-12-11
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Angrignon - 2016-10-30
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Angrignon - 2016-04-17
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) - Parc Mont-Royal - 2014-03-02

Where and When to Spot

The species is quite common and it can be observed all year long in parks around Montreal.

SpringSummerFallWinter
Boisé Des Douze x - - -
Jardin Botanique de Montréal x - - x
Parc Angrignon x x x x
Parc Bernard-Landry x - x -
Parc Michel-Chartrand x - - x
Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies x - - x
Parc de la Frayère x - - -

Where and when a species has been observed, identified, and recorded.


Last updated on 2024-03-14. Written and regularly updated by Karl-Heinz Müller, Dipl. Natw. ETH, Biology. With 10 years of experience in wildlife photography, Karl-Heinz shares first-hand, on-site collected observations, photos and videos from his frequent visits to parks in the Montreal area.