SCIENTIFIC NAME
Sitta canadensis
DESCRIPTION
Red-breasted Nuthatches are small birds reaching about 4.5 inches in length with a thin black bill and short tail. They have a black and white striped head, white throat, grey back and rust-coloured belly.
RANGE
They are found year round in all the provinces (in all areas of western and eastern provinces and the central and southern areas of the central provinces). Their winter range includes the prairies and their summer range occupies the northern reaches of most provinces and the southern portions of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
HABITAT
They prefer coniferous trees but can also be found in mixed woods.
DIET
These songbirds glean insects and spiders from tree bark. In the winter they eat seeds and nuts such as those from fir, spruce, beech and oak trees. Red-breasted Nuthatches visit feeders with suet and/or sunflower seeds.