This morning, I’m sharing an autumn White-breasted Nuthatch photo I took yesterday in Arkansas. I truly love seeing these nuthatches and hearing them call.
White-breasted Nuthatch in autumn – Canon R7, f8, 1/320, ISO 1000, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
White-breasted Nuthatches are year-round residents here in Arkansas. They are larger than the Red-breasted Nuthatches that arrived during fall migration.
My dream photo of nuthatches would be one with both a White-breasted and a Red-breasted Nuthatch side by side in the same frame. I suppose it could happen, since I see both species almost daily.
Brown-headed Nuthatch sightings are also possible, although the chance of finding one might be slim. Brown-headed Nuthatches are year-round residents not far from here. Since I’ve never photographed a Brown-headed Nuthatch, that species would be a lifer for me.
The White-breasted Nuthatch I photographed yesterday was feeding on suet, and that’s what’s visible on their open bill.
White-breasted Nuthatches exhibit interesting social behavior during winter months, often joining mixed-species foraging flocks primarily composed of chickadees and titmice.
Research has demonstrated that the presence of titmice in these flocks significantly influences nuthatch behavior. When titmice were experimentally removed from mixed-species groups, nuthatches displayed increased wariness and reduced willingness to visit exposed feeding sites. This suggests that nuthatches rely on titmice as “sentinel” species, benefiting from their vigilance and alarm-calling behavior.
I know from experience that if titmice and chickadees call out in alarm, the nuthatches quickly disappear.
Whether it’s a White-breasted or Red-breasted Nuthatch in my viewfinder, you can be sure I’m smiling as I photograph these fascinating little birds. I take photos of them both every time I am fortunate enough to see, hear, and observe these nuthatches.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see my White-breasted Nuthatch photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful pic and your narrative is very interesting. It’s fascinating how one species can work to the benefit of another. Thanks Mia.
What a fascinating snippet of behavioural science. Thank you.
h outside the window and Mia, I just had a fun experience with your white-breasted nuthatch call. While it was playing, two mourning doves flew onto a branch and looked in my direction. Their heads moved a little but basically remained focused in my direction, where the nuthatch was calling.
When the call ended, their heads moved around, as if they were searching. The call automatically started again, and the doves returned their focus to the direction of the call.
That was fun!
Thanks!