The white-breasted nuthatch and red-breasted nuthatch are two similar looking bird species found in North America. They belong to the nuthatch family Sittidae and have short tails, large heads, and long, pointed bills adapted for probing into crevices. While they appear almost identical at first glance, there are some key differences between these two nuthatch species.
Appearance
The most noticeable difference between the white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatch is the color of their plumage on the underparts. As their names suggest, the white-breasted nuthatch has a white breast and belly, while the red-breasted nuthatch has rusty reddish-orange on its underparts.
In terms of size, the white-breasted nuthatch tends to be slightly larger, measuring 5.5-6.3 inches in length with a wingspan around 10-13 inches. The red-breasted nuthatch is smaller at 4.3-5.1 inches long with a wingspan of 7.5-10 inches. However, there is some overlap in their sizes and this alone is not a completely reliable way to tell them apart.
Both species have blue-gray upperparts. The white-breasted nuthatch may show a bit more black on the cap, especially in males, while the red-breasted nuthatch often has a more washed out gray cap. The white-breasted nuthatch’s cap color contrasts more sharply with its white face and black eyestripe.
Male white-breasted nuthatches may also show a darker black cap that contrasts more with the paler gray back. Females of both species tend to look more similar overall. Juveniles have paler underparts until they molt into their adult plumage.
Markings
In addition to the differences in underpart and cap coloration, the white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatch can be distinguished by subtle differences in their markings:
- White-breasted nuthatch has a more prominent thick black eyestripe and whiter face
- Red-breasted nuthatch has a thinner dark eyestripe and grayer face
- Red-breasted shows faint streaking on the sides of the breast
- White-breasted has darker wings with contrasting whitish edges to the secondary covert feathers forming two pale “bars”
Bill Differences
The bills of these two nuthatches also differ slightly. The white-breasted nuthatch has a longer, straighter bill that is dark grayish-blue on top fading lighter on the bottom. The red-breasted nuthatch’s shorter bill has a darker blue-black upper mandible and pale bluish lower mandible.
Range and Habitat
The ranges of the white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatch overlap across much of North America’s boreal and temperate forests. However, there are some key differences in their distributions:
- White-breasted nuthatch has an extensive range across southern Canada, the eastern and central United States, and down into Mexico’s highlands.
- Red-breasted nuthatch has a more northwesterly distribution centered on Canada’s boreal forest and the western mountains of the United States down into Mexico.
- Red-breasted nuthatch is absent from much of the eastern and southeastern United States where the white-breasted is common.
In areas where their ranges overlap, the two species may partition resources by habitat preferences. White-breasted nuthatches prefer deciduous woodlands, parks, and suburban areas with large mature trees. Red-breasted nuthatches thrive in coniferous forests, especially pine, spruce, and fir. They are also more likely to be found in higher elevation montane forests.
Behavioral Differences
These two nuthatch species differ subtly in their behavior as well:
- White-breasted nuthatches are non-migratory and maintain year-round territories as long as food is available.
- Red-breasted nuthatches are irruptive with nomadic winter movements out of the boreal forest in search of food. They may migrate south or to lower elevations.
- White-breasted nuthatches forage more methodically on tree trunks and large branches. Red-breasted nuthatches make quicker movements probing smaller branches and twigs.
- White-breasted nuthatches produce nasal yank-yank alarm calls. Red-breasted nuthatches have higher pitched whee-whee alarm calls.
- White-breasted nuthatches are more aggressive and may displace red-breasted nuthatches from prime habitats.
These behavioral tendencies reflect subtle ecological differences between these two species that allow them to partition resources and coexist in areas where their ranges overlap.
Song and Vocalizations
The songs and call notes of the white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatch also differ, although they take some practice to distinguish:
- White-breasted nuthatch songs are nasal series of repeated single notes such as “yank yank yank”
- Red-breasted nuthatch songs are more varied and complex whistled notes in uneven series like “wee-wee-wee whew-whew-whew”
- White-breasted contact calls include nasal “yank” notes and mellow “wenk” sounds
- Red-breasted contact calls include piping “pee”, whistled “whees”, and mellow “wenks”
In general, white-breasted nuthatch vocalizations have a more nasal, grunting quality while red-breasted calls are higher pitched and more varied. But there is some overlap in their repertoires that requires careful listening to distinguish by ear in the field.
Identification Tips
To quickly identify whether a nuthatch is white-breasted or red-breasted, focus on these key ID points:
- Plumage – white-breasted has white underparts, red-breasted has rusty orange underparts
- Face – white-breasted has whiter face, sharp black eyestripe; red-breasted has grayer face, faint eyestripe
- Back – white-breasted has darker blue-gray back, red-breasted is paler gray
- Size – white-breasted is slightly larger on average but with much overlap
- Bill – white-breasted has long dark bill, red-breasted has shorter two-tone bill
- Voice – white-breasted has nasal yank calls, red-breasted has higher pitched whee calls
- Habitat – white-breasted in deciduous woods, red-breasted in coniferous
Paying attention to combinations of these differences in appearance, voice, habitat, and behavior will help distinguish these two very similar nuthatch species that overlap across much of North America’s wooded regions.
Nesting
In the spring breeding season, more differences arise between the white-breasted nuthatch and red-breasted nuthatch in their nesting habits:
- White-breasted nuthatches nest earlier, beginning in late March or April.
- Red-breasted nuthatches breed later from May to July.
- White-breasted nests are in tree cavities, often old woodpecker holes.
- Red-breasted nests are placed higher up on conifer branches or in crevices and cavities.
- Both species line their nests with soft materials but white-breasted uses more grass, stems, and bark while red-breasted lines with fur, feathers, and finer plant materials.
These nesting differences reduce competition and allow these two nuthatch species to breed side by side in overlapping habitats.
Feeding Habits
White-breasted nuthatches and red-breasted nuthatches forage in similar ways, probing bark crevices and exploring branches and twigs for hidden insects. But they focus on slightly different food sources:
- White-breasted eats more beetles, ants, caterpillars, and other insects found on deciduous trees.
- Red-breasted consumes more spiders, aphids, and scale insects abundant on conifers.
- Both also eat seeds and nuts, especially in winter. White-breasted favors acorns while red-breasted eats more pine seeds.
By partitioning food resources based on tree type, they can reduce potential competition where their ranges overlap.
Conclusion
In summary, the white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatch diverge in several aspects of their ecology and natural history that allow them to coexist in regions where both species occur. With subtle differences in plumage, size, voice, habitat preferences, behavior, and nesting biology, these two similar nuthatches carve out their own niches across North America’s forests and woodlands. Paying attention to combinations of these distinguishing traits helps observant birdwatchers confidently identify whether a nuthatch is white-breasted or red-breasted.