There are four species of nuthatches that can be found in the state of Ohio: the white-breasted nuthatch, the red-breasted nuthatch, the pygmy nuthatch, and the brown-headed nuthatch. Nuthatches are small songbirds in the Sittidae family known for their ability to climb down tree trunks head first. Their name comes from their habit of “hatching” nuts and seeds in tree bark by jamming them into crevices and hammering away with their long bills. Read on to learn more about the characteristics and habitat of each type of nuthatch species found in the Buckeye State.
White-Breasted Nuthatch
The white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is the most common and widespread nuthatch found across Ohio. This stocky songbird has blue-gray upperparts and a white face and underparts. Their hallmark feature is a long black cap and nape that stands out against their white cheeks and throat.
Males have more black on their cap, while females have more gray. White-breasted nuthatches have a long black bill and short tail. They measure 4.7–5.9 inches in length with a wingspan around 8–11 inches. They weigh 0.6–1.1 oz.
This agile little nuthatch creeps along tree trunks and branches probing the bark for insects and larvae. They also eat seeds and nuts. The white-breasted nuthatch wedge nuts into tree bark, then whack away with their bill to “hatch” out the seed from the shell.
White-breasted nuthatches breed across Ohio in mature deciduous or mixed forests, especially those with large oak trees. They nest in old woodpecker holes or natural tree cavities, lining the nest with soft materials like grass, bark, and feathers.
You’ll often hear the nasal “yank yank” call of the white-breasted nuthatch echoing through the woods as they chatter back and forth communicating with mates and defending territories. These birds are not migratory and maintain year-round territories in Ohio.
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
The red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) is the smallest Ohio nuthatch species. Their most distinctive feature is the black eye stripe and reddish-brown wash across their white face and underparts. Males have brighter red breast coloring than females.
Red-breasted nuthatches have bluish-gray upperparts, a black cap, and slightly upturned bill. They measure 3.5–4.3 inches long with a wingspan of 7.5–9.8 inches and weigh just 0.2–0.5 oz.
This tiny nuthatch forages for insects, seeds, and nuts along the outer branches and twigs of conifers. Their long slender bill helps them extract insects from cones and crevices. Like other nuthatches, they jam seeds into tree bark to more easily extract them.
Red-breasted nuthatches are common winter residents in Ohio, migrating down from more northern coniferous forests. Look for them in mature evergreen forests, parks, or wooded suburban areas with conifers like white pine, hemlock, and spruce.
Listen for their high-pitched, nasal “yenk-yenk” calls as they actively hop between branches. Red-breasted nuthatches excavate nesting cavities in dead conifer snags across Canada and the northern tier of the United States, though breeding in Ohio is rarer.
Pygmy Nuthatch
The pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) is the smallest North American nuthatch. As their name suggests, pygmy nuthatches only measure 3.5–4.3 inches in length with a 6.3–7.5 inch wingspan. They weigh a mere 0.2–0.5 oz.
This tiny gray bird has pale blue-gray upperparts and whitish underparts. Their head is more brownish-gray with a long black eye line. Pygmy nuthatches have a straight slender bill that tapers to a point.
Males have darker gray caps than females. Juveniles have drabber plumage overall. Pygmy nuthatches get their name from their diminutive size, but also have a proportionately shorter tail and bill compared to other nuthatch species.
The pygmy nuthatch is an uncommon breeder in a few locations across southern Ohio where mature pine stands occur. They favor open ponderosa pine forests with snags for nesting and roosting.
This acrobatic little nuthatch forages actively among pine branches and bark crevices for insects and seeds. They nest in cavities excavated in soft decaying snags, lining the nest with bark strips, grass, and feathers.
Listen for their rapid, high-pitched peeping “squee-squee-squee” calls as they communicate and move through the pine boughs. Pygmy nuthatches have localized non-migratory populations in Ohio. They may join mixed winter foraging flocks after breeding.
Brown-Headed Nuthatch
The brown-headed nuthatch (Sitta pusilla) is the only Ohio nuthatch species named for its distinctive brown rather than black cap. Their brown caps contrast with their blue-gray backs and wings and whitish underparts. These small nuthatches have a black mask through the eyes and a stubby tail.
Brown-headed nuthatches measure only 4 inches long, but have a larger wingspan around 9 inches. They weigh 0.5–0.7 oz. This makes them slightly larger and stockier than pygmy nuthatches.
The brown-headed nuthatch is found sporadically in open, mature pine forests across southern Ohio. They favor stands of tall loblolly, shortleaf, or pine-oak forests where they nest in cavities and forage along pine branches.
This pine-dwelling species probes bark crevices for insects and seeds. They nest in holes excavated in soft or decaying pine snags. Brown-headed nuthatches vocalizations include a nasal “yank-yank” somewhat similar to other Ohio nuthatches. They are non-migratory and maintain year-round territories.
Habitat and Behavior
Though Ohio’s four nuthatch species vary in size and color, they share some common traits and adaptations:
- All nuthatches are able to climb down tree trunks and branches with agility thanks to their specialized feet. Nuthatch feet have long, curved nails and powerful hind claws that allow them to perch horizontally or head-first as they move down trunks probing for food.
- Nuthatches have compact, short bodies and necks, with large heads and bills. Their short tails help provide balance and support as they climb.
- Ohio’s nuthatches all have strong bills adapted to hammering away at nuts and seeds wedged into tree bark. Their bills also help excavate nesting cavities.
- Most Ohio nuthatches prefer mature woodland habitats with plenty of dead snags for nesting and foraging. The exceptions are red-breasted nuthatches which prefer conifers and pygmy/brown-headed nuthatches which inhabit open pine forests.
- Nuthatches are highly vocal, using loud, nasal calls to communicate with mates and advertise territories. Their “yank yank” calls ring loudly through their preferred woods and forests.
- All Ohio nuthatch species excavate nesting cavities in dead or decaying snags. They may enlarge old woodpecker holes or chisel out rotting wood.
- Nuthatches maintain small territories year-round that they actively defend from intruders.
Nuthatches are feisty, active little birds brimming with energy and personality. Watching nuthatches nimbly creeping up, down, and sideways along branches and tree trunks in search of food is a treat for birders. Listening for the loud, nasal calls that give away nuthatch presence is the first step in locating these specialized woodland birds.
Identification Tips
Use these tips to help identify the four nuthatch species found across Ohio:
White-Breasted Nuthatch
- Blue-gray upperparts
- Black cap and nape
- White face and underparts
- 5-6 inches long
- Found in deciduous forests statewide
- Nasal yank-yank calls
Red-Breasted Nuthatch
- Blue-gray upperparts
- Black eye stripe
- Rufous wash across breast
- 4 inches long
- In Ohio mostly winter only
- High-pitched yenk-yenk calls
Pygmy Nuthatch
- Blue-gray upperparts
- Long black eye stripe
- Brownish-gray head
- 3.5-4 inches long
- Found locally in southern Ohio pine forests
- Rapid, squeaky squee-squee-squee calls
Brown-Headed Nuthatch
- Blue-gray upperparts
- Brown cap
- Black eye stripe/mask
- 4 inches long
- Inhabits southern Ohio pine forests
- Nasal yank-yank calls
Conclusion
Ohio’s mature forests and pine stands are home to four special nuthatch species. The white-breasted nuthatch is found statewide wherever large trees occur. Red-breasted nuthatches join mixed winter flocks, especially across the northern part of the state. Tiny pygmy and brown-headed nuthatches inhabit more localized pine forests in the south.
Nuthatches share a unique ability to creep up and down trunks and branches probing for insects and wedging out seeds. Their loud nasal calls ring through Ohio’s woodlands as they vigorously defend territories. With a little practice, birders can learn to recognize the white face of a white-breasted, the little brown cap of a brown-headed, or the signature red breast of a “red-breasted” nuthatch. Keep your eyes peeled and ears open when exploring Ohio’s forests and you’re sure to be rewarded with a glimpse of one of these colorful characters.