Brown-headed Nuthatch

Overview

The brown-headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) is a small songbird endemic to pine forests in the Southeastern United States. As one of the world's smallest nuthatches, it is currently listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Brown cap with a narrow black eyeline and buff-white cheeks, chin, and belly.
• Bluish-gray wings with a small white spot at the nape of the neck.
• Sharp, black, nail-like beak used for pounding open seeds.
• Sharp 'whee-hyah' call that sounds like a rubber duck, plus softer 'pit pit pit' calls in flight.

Habitat

This species resides in pine forests throughout the Southeastern United States, where it often constructs its nests at the top of short snags. South Florida populations show lower genetic diversity likely due to habitat fragmentation.

Diet

The brown-headed nuthatch feeds on sunflower seeds, suet cakes, and insects, which it digs for using small chips of bark, twigs, and pine needles held in its beak as tools.

Did you know?

This bird exhibits cooperative breeding behaviour, with groups of 3–5 adults providing care at a single nest. It also engages in male-female duets and social grooming, similar to the pygmy nuthatch.