BirdNote Daily Clever Nuthatches
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Nov 8, 2025 Discover the clever world of nuthatches, particularly the Red-breasted and White-breasted species. These stub-tailed birds are known for their unique downward movement on tree trunks, helping them find tasty morsels often overlooked by others. Their aggressive calls and fearless nature allow them to challenge larger birds for food and territory. Learn about their foraging strategy that gives them an upper hand at feeders, making them truly fascinating little avian characters.
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Downward-Going Foragers
- Nuthatches move down tree trunks, unlike woodpeckers that climb upward and brace with their tails.
- Their name likely comes from tucking food into bark crevices and hacking it open with their beaks.
Name From Feeding Technique
- Nuthatches tuck insects, nuts, and seeds into bark crevices and hack them apart with repeated beak strikes.
- This feeding style likely inspired the common name 'nuthatch.'
Common Species And Bold Calls
- Two common U.S. species are the red-breasted nuthatch and the white-breasted nuthatch.
- Their insistent call matches their aggressive behavior around food and territory.