DOCSLIB.ORG

Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis) Julie A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Red-Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Canadensis) Julie A Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) Julie A. Craves Wayne Co., MI 2/1/2009 © Darlene Friedman This species sponsored in honor of Julie Craves. (Click to view a comparison of Atlas I to II) The Red-breasted Nuthatch has long garnered Distribution Red-breasted Nuthatches are common residents affection. Audubon (1840-1844) admired the of the UP and NLP of Michigan. Participants in “activity and industry of this little creature.” MBBA I found this species preferred mixed John Burroughs (1919) commented on one that forests in the UP, with coniferous and mixed spent the winter at his feeding table, noting forests used with the same frequency in the “…his pretty form, and his engaging ways NLP. This supports Ghalambor and Martin’s greatly endeared him to us.” And Arthur (1999) assessment that eastern populations are Cleveland Bent (1948) could not resist a more tolerant of mixed habitats than western warmhearted description which concluded, birds. “…the blue-gray, black, and tawny coloring makes a pleasing artistic combination, and the Barrows (1912) stated that Red-breasted diminutive tail supplies a piquant effect.” Nuthatches were absent in the SLP, or at most occurred only as scattered pairs. Wood (1951) Red-breasted Nuthatches breed in coniferous gave the summer southern range limit as and mixed forests across Canada, the American Wexford County. Several decades later, Payne west, New England, the Upper Great Lakes, and (1983) was able to cite at least a half-dozen the Appalachians (Ghalambor and Martin 1999). summer records from the SLP. In MBBA I, this This species winters mostly within its breeding species was confirmed in six townships in six range, but many move south in irruption years. counties in the SLP. Confirmations roughly These events are correlated with poor conifer doubled in the SLP in MBBA II. cone production in northern areas, often in combination with a large cone crop the previous This pattern of increased frequency of southern year that resulted in high densities of nuthatches nesting has also been found in the surrounding (Koenig and Knops 2001). Irruptions generally region. Red-breasted Nuthatches were occur every two to four years, but the number of historically absent from the southern part of Red-breasted Nuthatches that travel south is Ontario, but are now only missing from the highly variable from year to year. This annual extreme southwestern portion of the province, fluctuation was noted for Michigan even at the with a marked southward expansion noted over turn of the last century (Barrows 1912). © 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) Julie A. Craves the previous 20 years (Cheskey 2007). In Ohio, Abundance and Population Trends Peterjohn and Rice (1991) noted this species (Click to view trends from the BBS) began to be found more frequently in summer Estimating population trends for Red-breasted during the 1970s, becoming annual nesters in Nuthatches is hampered by a low abundance on the 1980s. In Ohio’s first Atlas, Red-breasted BBS routes and their inconsistent numbers from Nuthatches were found in 12 counties and year to year due to their irruptive habits confirmed in four (Peterjohn and Rice 1991). In (Ghalambor and Martin 1999). Nonetheless, the first several years of Ohio’s second Atlas, some signs point to an increase in the numbers Red-breasted Nuthatches were recorded in 42 of Red-breasted Nuthatches in the state. BBS Atlas blocks and confirmed in seven, mostly in data show a significant annual increase of 4.4% the northern third of the state (OBBA 2009, data in Michigan since 1983. They were found in provisional). Finally, although no Red-breasted more townships in MBBA II than in MBBA I, Nuthatches were recorded in Indiana’s first with a large increase in the SLP. The percentage Atlas (Castrale et al. 1998), they were of townships in which breeding evidence was confirmed in one county and recorded as found was up 30% overall from MBBA I. probable in another over the first four years of the state’s second Atlas effort (USGS 2009, data More Red-breasted Nuthatches have been provisional). observed during recent Michigan winters as well. The number per party hour on Michigan Breeding Biology Christmas Bird Counts during the period Pair bonds may form at any time during the year covering MBBA II was nearly double what was between individuals that are residents on the recorded for the years covering MBBA I (NAS breeding grounds (Ghalambor and Martin 2009). Participants in Cornell’s Project 1999). Red-breasted Nuthatches are cavity FeederWatch have reported elevated numbers of nesters, excavating their own holes in soft Red-breasted Nuthatches during winter in the wood, sometimes using existing holes, and Great Lakes region since 2003-2004 (Cornell occasionally utilizing nest boxes (Hamas 1991, Lab of Ornithology 2008). Because Red- Ghalambor and Martin 1999). Nests are lined breasted Nuthatches will nest in fairly urban with fine grasses, feathers, fur, shredded bark, settings such as residential areas and cemeteries or other soft materials, and throughout the (Cheskey 1990, Peterjohn and Rice 1991), nesting period both parents apply conifer resin perhaps birds lingering after winter boom years to both the inner and outer surfaces of the are responsible for the increase in southern entrance hole (Ghalambor and Martin 1999). nesting records even in developed regions. This is thought to deter predators (although there is not consensus among researchers), and Conservation similar plastering behavior is found in other Although Red-breasted Nuthatches appear to be nuthatch species worldwide (Pasquet 1989). Egg increasing in number and expanding their range laying occurs between April and July, and in Michigan, there are aspects to their life typically only one brood is initiated per year history which may make them subject to (Ghalambor and Martin 1999). Clutches are declines. These nuthatches usually excavate comprised of five to eight eggs although a their own nest cavities. They may be typical clutch is six eggs (Ghalambor and industrious, but they are tiny birds and rely on Martin 1999). Only females incubate the eggs finding wood soft enough for them to be able to and the male brings food to the female when she create nest holes. Snag management that is either on or off the nest (Ghalambor and diminishes the number of dead or dying trees Martin 1999). could potentially limit nest sites and thus © 2011 Kalamazoo Nature Center Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) Julie A. Craves reproductive output. This species also prefers to Cadman, D.A. Sutherland, G.G. Beck, D. nest in forests that have a wide array of tree Lepage, and A.R. Couturier, editors. Atlas species. Timber practices that reduce forest of the Breeding Birds of Ontario, 2001- diversity could have negative impacts 2005. Bird Studies Canada, Environment (Ghalambor and Martin 1999). Canada, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Red-breasted Nuthatches may also be Ontario Nature. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. vulnerable to changes in habitat suitability due Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 2008. Project to climate change. Conifers are an essential FeederWatch [PFW]. Species trend graphs: component of their breeding habitat. Models Red-breasted Nuthatch, Great Lakes region. based on several climate change scenarios <http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/DataRetr predict a shift north in the range of the Red- ieval/trendgraphs/rebnut.html>. Accessed 9 breasted Nuthatch linked to the potential change Feb 2009. in range of conifers, especially balsam fir and Ghalambor, C.K., and T.E. Martin. 1999. Red- white pine, as well as alterations in precipitation breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). patterns; some models indicate extirpation of Account 459 in A. Poole and F. Gill, editors. Red-breasted Nuthatches from the LP (Price The Birds of North America. The Birds of 2000, Matthews et al. 2007). North America, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Literature Cited Hamas, M.J. 1991. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Audubon, J.J. 1840-1844. The Birds of Canadensis). Pages 326-327 in R. Brewer, America, from Drawings Made in the G.A. McPeek, and R.J. Adams, Jr. The United States and Their Territories. J. J. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Michigan. Audubon, New York, New York, and J.B. Michigan State University Press, East Chevalier, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Lansing, Michigan, USA. Barrows, W.B. 1912. Michigan Bird Life. Koenig, W.D., and J.M.H. Knops. 2001. Seed- Special Bulletin. Michigan Agricultural crop size and eruptions of North American College. Lansing, Michigan, USA. boreal seed-eating birds. Journal of Animal Bent, A.C. 1948. Life Histories of North Ecology 70:609-620. American Nuthatches, Wrens, Thrashers, Matthews, S.N., L.R. Iverson, A.M. Prasad, and Their Allies. U.S. National Museum A.M., and M.P. Peters. 2007. A Climate Bulletin 195, Washington, D.C., USA. Change Atlas for 147 Bird Species of the Burroughs, J. 1919. Field and Study. Eastern United States. <http://www.nrs Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Massachusetts, .fs.fed.us/atlas/bird>. Accessed 13 February and New York, New York, USA. 2009. Castrale, J.S., E.M. Hopkins, and C.E. Keller. National Audubon Society [NAS]. 2009. The 1998. Atlas of Breeding Birds of Indiana. Christmas Bird Count Historical Results Indiana Department of Natural Resources, <http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc>. Division of Fish and Wildlife, Nongame and Accessed 12 February 2009. Endangered Wildlife Program. Indianapolis, Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas II [OBBA]. 2009. Indiana, USA. Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas . Cheskey, E.D. 1990. Red-breasted Nuthatch <http://bird.atlasing.org/Atlas/OH/>. nesting in residential Waterloo. Ontario Accessed 9 February 2009. Birds 8: 71-75. Pasquet, E. 1998. Phylogeny of the nuthatches Cheskey, E. 2007. Red-breasted Nuthatch of the Sitta canadensis group and its (Sitta Canadensis).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Common Birds of the Prescott Area Nuthatch.Cdr
    Birds are listed by their typical habitats. Coniferous Forest Riparian (Creekside) Woodland (Some species may be found in more Sharp-shinned Hawk (w) Anna's Hummingbird (s) than one habitat.) Cooper's Hawk Black-chinned Hummingbird (s) (w) = winter (s) = summer Broad-tailed Hummingbird (s) Rufous Hummingbird (s) Acorn Woodpecker Black Phoebe Pinyon/Juniper/Oak Woodland Red-naped Sapsucker (w) Plumbeous Vireo (s) and Chaparral Hairy Woodpecker Warbling Vireo (s) Gambel's Quail . Western Wood-Pewee (s) House Wren (s) Ash-throated Flycatcher (s) Cordilleran Flycatcher (s) Lucy's Warbler (s) Western Scrub-Jay Hutton's Vireo Yellow Warbler (s) Bridled Titmouse Steller's Jay Summer Tanager (s) Juniper Titmouse . Mountain Chickadee Song Sparrow (w) Bushtit White-breasted Nuthatch Lincoln's Sparrow (w) Bewick's Wren . Pygmy Nuthatch Blue Grosbeak (s) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (w) Brown Creeper Brown-headed Cowbird (s) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (s) Western Bluebird Bullock's Oriole (s) Crissal Thrasher Hermit Thrush Lesser Goldfinch Phainopepla (s) Yellow-rumped Warbler (w) Lake and Marsh Virginia's Warbler (s) Grace's Warbler (s) Black-throated Gray Warbler (s) Red-faced Warbler (s) Pied-billed Grebe Spotted Towhee Painted Redstart (s) Eared Grebe (w) Canyon Towhee Hepatic Tanager (s) Double-crested Cormorant Rufous-crowned Sparrow Western Tanager (s) Great Blue Heron White-crowned Sparrow (w) Chipping Sparrow Gadwall (w) Black-headed Grosbeak (s) Dark-eyed Junco (w) American Wigeon (w) Scott’s Oriole (s) Pine Siskin Mallard Lake and Marsh (cont.) Varied or Other Habitats Cinnamon Teal (s) Turkey Vulture (s) Common Birds Northern Shoveler (w) Red-tailed Hawk Northern Pintail (w) Rock Pigeon of the Green-winged Teal (w) Eurasian Collared-Dove Prescott Canvasback (w) Mourning Dove Ring-necked Duck (w) Greater Roadrunner Area Lesser Scaup (w) Ladder-backed Woodpecker Bufflehead (w) Northern Flicker Common Merganser (w) Cassin's Kingbird (s) Ruddy Duck (w) Common Raven American Coot Violet-green Swallow (s) .
    [Show full text]
  • PPCO Twist System
    A Brown-headed Nuthatch brings food to the nest. Color-coded leg bands enable the authors and their colleagues to discern the curious and potentially complex relationships among the various individuals at Tall Timbers Research Station on the Florida–Georgia line. Photo by © Tara Tanaka. photos by Tara Tanaka Tallahassee, Florida [email protected] 46 BIRDING • FEBRUARY 2016 arblers are gorgeous, jays boisterous, and sparrows elusive, Wbut words like “cute” and “adorable” come to mind when the conversation shifts to Brown-headed Nuthatches. The word “cute” doesn’t appear in the scientifc literature regularly, but science may help to explain its frequent association with nuthatch- es. The large heads and small bodies nuthatches possess have propor- tions similar to those found on young children. Psychologists have found that these proportions conjure up “innate attractive” respons- es among adult humans even when the proportions fall on strange objects (Little 2012). This range-restricted nuthatch associated with southeastern pine- woods has undergone steep declines in recent decades and is listed as a species of special concern in most states in which it breeds (Cox and Widener 2008). The population restricted to Grand Bahama Island appears to be critically endangered (Hayes et al. 2004). Add to these concerns some intriguing biology that includes helpers at the nest, communal winter roosts, seed caching, social grooming, and the use of tools, and you have some scintillating science all bound up in one “cute” and “adorable” package. James
    [Show full text]
  • Downy Woodpecker and White-Breasted Nuthatch Use "Vice" to Open Sunflower Seeds: Is This an Example of Tool Use?
    DOWNY WOODPECKER AND WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH USE "VICE" TO OPEN SUNFLOWER SEEDS: IS THIS AN EXAMPLE OF TOOL USE? By William E. Davis, Jr. During the past three winters I have watched Downy Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches using knotholes as "vices" to hold sunflower seeds while shucking them. I have found no direct reference to this behavior for either species, although nuthatches are well-known cachers of food and presumably open cached food items where they are cached. The purpose of this paper is to document this vice-using Behavior and to discuss whether it should Be considered as tool use. On February 2, 1993, I watched a male Downy Woodpecker at my sunflower feeder remove a seed and fly five feet directly to a knothole (hole #1) that was 6.5 feet above the ground in a vertical three-inch stem of the same lilac cluster from which the feeder was suspended. The Downy proceeded to insert the seed into the knothole, which had a hard, flat lower surface (Figure 1), and pound it open and eat the seed. It repeated this procedure five times in three minutes. The woodpecker did not hold the seed with its feet the way chickadees and titmice do when they open sunflower seeds and, in fact, did not touch the seed with its feet at any time. On March 3 I watched the same male Downy (it had a distinctive pattern of red, white, and Black on its nape) make nine trips to hole #1 and sBc trips to a second knothole (hole #2) five feet from the feeder on a nearly horizontal stem 4.5 feet above the ground in the same lilac complex (Figure 2).
    [Show full text]
  • White-Breasted Nuthatch Sitta Carolinensis ILLINOIS RANGE
    white-breasted nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Kingdom: Animalia FEATURES Phylum: Chordata The white-breasted nuthatch averages five to six Class: Aves inches in length. It has blue-gray back feathers and Order: Passeriformes white belly feathers. The male has a cap of black feathers while the female has a blue-gray-feathered Family: Sittidae cap. ILLINOIS STATUS common, native BEHAVIORS The white-breasted nuthatch is a common, permanent resident statewide in Illinois. Nesting takes place from April through May. This bird nests in deciduous woodlands in a knothole in a large tree, an old woodpecker hole or a nest box. The nest is placed 15 to 50 feet above the ground. The nest cavity is lined with grasses, hair, rootlets, sticks and other materials. The female builds the nest. She deposits six to nine white eggs with red-brown spots and incubates them for the 12-day incubation period. One brood is raised per year. The white- breasted nuthatch lives in woodlands, parks and orchards. It searches for food by walking down tree trunks head-first. It eats insects, nuts and acorns. ILLINOIS RANGE © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. provided by stevebyland/pond5.com adult Aquatic Habitats bottomland forests Woodland Habitats bottomland forests; coniferous forests; southern Illinois lowlands; upland deciduous forests Prairie and Edge Habitats edge © Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
    [Show full text]
  • Brettsmithersthesis2003.Pdf
    Copyright © 2003 Brett Smithers i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study would not have been possible without the efforts and contributions of many organizations and individuals. My appreciation is extended to Dr. Clint Boal, my major advisor, for helpful and timely editing, guidance and for serving as my mentor. Thanks are extended to Dr. David Andersen, my co-advisor, for his scholarly and insightful comments and advice. Funding for this project was provided by the Chippewa National Forest, The National Council for Air and Steam Improvement, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Potlatch Corporation, Superior National Forest, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. I owe a great deal to those individuals who assisted with nest inventories, trapping, equipment installation, and changing tapes and batteries at monitored nests: Aimee Roberson, Lisa Smithers, Amanda Wester, Wayne Steffans, Frank Nicoletti, Cameron Trembath, Jeremy Ridelbauer, and Ann Bellman. Matt Solensky assisted with hawk trapping, and Steve Day of Airways Aviation provided air service for relocating telemetered goshawks during the 2001 field season. Personnel from the many cooperating agencies and organizations provided assistance and logistical support during this project. They included, in no particular order, Jim Gallagher, John Casson, Jeff Hines, Mike Houser, Rich Baker, Al Williamson, Ben Ohlander, Steve Mortensen, Carol Mortensen, Robin Vora, Maya Hamady, Lissa Grover, Ed Lindquist, and Wayne Russ. ii Video equipment for the 2000 and 2001 field seasons was provided by Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provided office space, computer, and an all- terrain vehicle during the 2002 field season.
    [Show full text]
  • The White-Breasted Nuthatches of North America
    uring 2013, the American Ornithologists’ Union (AOU) evaluated a proposal to “split” the White- Dbreasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) into any- where from two to four species. The proposal did not Cryptic pass (AOU 2013a). Members of the AOU’s Commit- tee on Classification and Nomenclature of North and Middle American Birds were, however, nearly unani- mous in their desire to revisit the question soon, after more data have been gathered (AOU 2013b). What does this mean for North American birders? Certainly more Species identification challenges, but also an opportunity to con- The White-breasted tribute to our understanding of the current and changing ranges of these birds. Nuthatches Background A key geological event was the formation, 14–2½ mil- lion years ago, of the “Basin and Range” district of west- ern North America. This event promoted the splitting 4UFWFO(.MPEJOPX of forests of the U.S. and Canada into three distinct re- gions: Eastern (east of the Mountain West, and extend- -POHNPOU $PMPSBEP ing north to include much of the continent’s northern THNMPE!BPMDPN reaches); Interior West (from the Rocky Mountains west to the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the Cas- cades, south to the mountains of northern Mexico, and including the Davis and Chisos mountains of Texas); and Pacific (from the crests of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades west to the Pacific Coast). A more complete summary is given by Graham (1999). These distinctions were reinforced by “recent” Quaternary Period glacial cycles (Van Devender 1990, Graham 1999) and sub- This article presents an overview, based on recent scientific literature and the author’s field and museum work, of our present knowledge of the identification and geographic distribution of the White-breasted Nuthatches of North America.
    [Show full text]
  • Pygmy Nuthatch in Mountain Region
    United States Department of Agriculture Conservation Assessment Forest Service Rocky of the Pygmy Nuthatch in Mountain Region Black Hills the Black Hills National National Forest Custer, Forest, South Dakota and South Dakota May 2003 Wyoming Cameron Ghalambor Conservation Assessment of the Pygmy Nuthatch in the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota and Wyoming Cameron Ghalambor Department of Biology University of California – Riverside Riverside, CA 92521 Under a personal services contract with: USDA Forest Service Black Hills National Forest Cameron Ghalambor is currently a postdoctoral research biologist at the University of California at Riverside. He received his B. A. from University of California at Los Angeles and his Ph.D. from the University of Montana at Missoula. His Ph.D. and subsequent research has focused in part on the comparative reproductive biology of Pygmy, Red-breasted, and White-breasted Nuthatches. His work on nuthatches and related species has investigated such questions as 1) the ecological and evolutionary determinants that shape different incubation strategies, 2) the role of life histories in determining parental investment strategies, and 3) the adaptive significance of conifer resin use at Red-breasted Nuthatch nests. His current address is: Department of Biology, University of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................... 1 CURRENT MANAGEMENT
    [Show full text]
  • Nest Characteristics of the Eastern Rock Nuthatch (Sitta Tephronota) in Southwestern Iran
    Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 66(1), pp. 85–98, 2020 DOI: 10.17109/AZH.66.1.85.2020 NEST CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EASTERN ROCK NUTHATCH (SITTA TEPHRONOTA) IN SOUTHWESTERN IRAN Arya Shafaeipour1*, Behzad Fathinia1 and Jerzy Michalczuk2 1Department of Biology, University of Yasouj, Yasouj, Iran E-mails: [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4267-536X [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5752-9288 2Department of Nature Protection and Landscape Ecology, University of Rzeszów Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland E-mail: [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9311-7731 In the springs of 2015–2017, the population size and nest characteristics of the Eastern Rock Nuthatch (Sitta tephronota) were investigated. The study was conducted in a 400 hectare area of the mountainous region of southwestern Iran. In 2016, the population of the Eastern Rock Nuthatch was estimated at 33 pairs and its density was 8.25 breeding pairs per 100 ha of the study area. During the study, 45 nuthatch nests were investigated, of which 15 (33%) were found in cliffs and 28 (62%) were located in tree holes; 2% were built in house and bridge walls. The height of the nest was 214.3±112.3 cm above ground level. The mean of the horizontal and vertical depths of the nest chambers in trees was 17.8±3.7 and 12.6±3.2 cm respectively, and statistically differed from those in rocky nests (respectively 23.9±5.5 and 10.8±4.6 cm). However, chamber volumes did not statistically differ between these two nest type categories.
    [Show full text]
  • Critter Class Nuthatches
    Critter Class Nuthatches White breasted Nuthatch December 1, 2011 MVK: Some were asking where the nuthatch got the name - They get their common name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then whacking them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside. White- breasted Nuthatches may be small but their voices are loud, and often their insistent nasal yammering will lead you right to them. Per Allaboutbirds.com MVK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHlTrWQbnms MVK: White-breasted nuthatch by E. George Strasser There is a little bird, who lives in my hometown. he is the strangest bird, as he's mostly upside down. He may come to your feeder, for a seed or two to take. he really does like best, to peck a suet cake. He searches bark for insects, and his wings may start to flutter. when he finds somebody's feeder, is filled with peanut butter. The constant nasal chatter, whenever he's around. you'll know exactly who it is, when you just hear the sound. How they named this bird, I really do not know. he's surely not a nut, and hatched a while ago. Through snow or heat of summer, at any time of year. he migrates not at all, so always will be here. As you watch this small bird's antics, you'll never have a frown. because this little bird, is mostly upside down Critter Class – Nuthatches 1 12/1/2011 Comment: I love to watch Snitch walking straight down that concrete wall in the bear pen.
    [Show full text]
  • Red-Breasted Nuthatch EN
    Introduction This bird • descends head downwards on tree trunks and branches to search in nooks and crannies of the bark for tiny organisms • wedges hard-shelled nuts in a bark crevice and then hammers them with its bill • carries spruce or pine pitch, often from some distance, in its bill to smear on the entrance of its nest cavity • has a greatly enlarged hind toe and a stubby tail, which are probably both adaptations for climbing downwards Description Like all nuthatches the Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis has short legs, a flat body, and a large head. Its strong, rather long bill is slightly upturned. The Red-breasted Nuthatch can be distinguished from other nuthatches by a pronounced white eyebrow stripe set off by a black line through the eye, and black on top of the head and neck. The crown is black in the male and dark greyish-blue in the female. The back, wings, and tail are mostly greyish-blue in both male and female. The rusty-coloured underparts that give this species its name are paler in the female. The long and pointed wings when folded extend nearly to the tip of the short tail. The bird’s overall length is about 11 cm. All of the 17 species of true nuthatches of North America and Eurasia belong to the genus Sitta; these comprise the common nuthatch family or Sittidae. None is more than 19 cm long. Whether in Formosa, Germany, or Mexico, all nuthatches share many characteristics with the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Several Eurasian species, however, differ primarily in that they live on cliffs, foraging on rocks rather than on trees— hence the Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer.
    [Show full text]
  • NHBSS 037 1N Hopkin Beauti
    NAT. NAT. HIST. BUL L. SIAM So c. 37(1): 105 -107 ， 1989 Beautiful Beautiful Nuthatch (Sitta formosa) ，a Species New to Thailand Early Early in 1986 1 found two Beautiful Nuthatches ， Sitta formosa ，on the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok ， in Chiang Mai Province. This species has not been previ O'U sly recorded in Thailand. It is a secretive bird ，and could possibly occur in suitable suitable habitat elsewhere in the north of the country. On 10 January 1986 1 was climbing to the summit of Doi Pha Hom Pok (co-ordinates (co-ordinates 20 0 04' N ，99 0 09' E; altitude 2285 m) in the company of M. Crosby and A. Merritt from England ，and R. Cassidy and T. Salinger from South Africa. We had reached the final ridge that includes the summit and were examining several bird flocks ， mostly fulvettas ， babblers and sunbirds ，when we located two large nuthatches ，Sitta sp. ， feeding together in the canopy. Their size and plumage were immediately immediately striking ，and we had no difficulty in identifying them as Beautiful Nuthatch ， Sitta Sitta formosa. The canopy was low ， 20 m tall hill evergreen forest ， with dense encrustations encrustations of mosses and epiphytes ，and had already been found to contain such species species as Black-eared Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius melanotis ，Rufous Winged Fulvetta Alcippe Alcippe castanecl ψ¥S'， and Cutia Cutia n伊alensis. The nuthatches were feeding unobtrusively unobtrusively in the mossy crevices and branches ，and we were able to follow their movements for about 20 minutes ， at distances of down to 20 m.
    [Show full text]
  • Standard Abbreviations for Common Names of Birds M
    Standard abbreviations for common names of birds M. Kathleen Klirnkiewicz I and Chandler $. I•obbins 2 During the past two decadesbanders have taken The system we proposefollows five simple rules their work more seriouslyand have begun record- for abbreviating: ing more and more informationregarding the birds they are banding. To facilitate orderly record- 1. If the commonname is a singleword, use the keeping,bird observatories(especially Manomet first four letters,e.g., Canvasback, CANV. and Point Reyes)have developedstandard record- 2. If the common name consistsof two words, use ing forms that are now available to banders.These the first two lettersof the firstword, followed by forms are convenientfor recordingbanding data the first two letters of the last word, e.g., manually, and they are designed to facilitate Common Loon, COLO. automateddata processing. 3. If the common name consists of three words Because errors in species codes are frequently (with or without hyphens),use the first letter of detectedduring editing of bandingschedules, the the first word, the first letter of the secondword, Bird BandingOffices feel that bandersshould use and the first two lettersof the third word, e.g., speciesnames or abbreviationsthereof rather than Pied-billed Grebe, PBGR. only the AOU or speciescode numbers on their field sheets.Thus, it is essentialthat any recording 4. If the common name consists of four words form have provision for either common names, (with or without hypens), use the first letter of Latin names, or a suitable abbreviation. Most each word, •.g., Great Black-backed Gull, recordingforms presentlyin use have a 4-digit GBBG.
    [Show full text]