The white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a small songbird found throughout much of North America. This active little bird with a bold black and white striped face has a very distinctive range in terms of habitat and region.
Range and Habitat
The white-breasted nuthatch is found across much of the eastern and central United States and Canada. Their range extends:
- As far north as central Alberta, central Manitoba, southern Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia
- As far south as central Texas and the Florida panhandle
- As far west as eastern Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico
- As far east as the Atlantic seaboard
Map of white-breasted nuthatch range:
The white-breasted nuthatch is found in deciduous or mixed woods across its range, showing a strong preference for mature stands of trees. Unlike some other species of nuthatch that may be found in coniferous forests or at higher elevations, the white-breasted nuthatch sticks to lowland deciduous woods and forests.
Some key aspects of their preferred habitat include:
- Mature broadleaf trees like oaks, maples, hickories, and other deciduous species
- Open understory with little dense ground cover
- Dead snags and fallen logs for foraging
- Tree cavities for nesting and roosting
You’re most likely to find the white-breasted nuthatch in mature forests, woodlots, wooded urban parks, and even trees along streams. They prefer stands of older, large-diameter trees compared to younger forests. Proximity to open fields, meadows, or clearings provides an optimum mix of foraging and cover. In the western part of their range, they strongly prefer riparian woodlands along streams and rivers.
Regional Variations
While white-breasted nuthatches can be found anywhere within their broad range, their abundance and behavior does vary across the following main regions:
Northeastern
Abundant year-round resident across New England, New York, Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes region. Shows some seasonal movements from higher to lower elevations but does not migrate.
Southeastern
Common year-round resident across the Southeast and Gulf states north to Virginia. Occurs both inland and along the coast in appropriate deciduous or mixed forest habitat.
Midwestern
Common resident across the Midwest wherever large stands of deciduous trees occur. Most abundant in riverbottoms and mature forests. Northern parts of its range here are occupied only in summer while southern areas are year-round.
Western
Common but somewhat localized summer resident and year-round resident depending on latitude. Occurs in pockets of deciduous woods from eastern Montana and Colorado south to Texas, favoring streamside cottonwoods and willows. Northern and higher elevation areas are migratory.
Southwestern
Rare and very localized resident in riparian woodlands in mountain canyons from southern Utah south into Mexico. Prefers lower elevation deciduous forests in this arid region.
So in summary, these birds occur year-round through most of the eastern half of the U.S. whereas the western populations are more localized and migratory. The Southwest hosts small isolated populations while this species is currently absent from most of the Northwest.
Population Density
Breeding bird survey data allows us to compare relative abundance and population density of the white-breasted nuthatch across its range:
Region | Average Number Per Route |
---|---|
Southeastern States | 12.7 |
Northeastern States | 10.6 |
Mid-Atlantic States | 9.4 |
Midwestern States | 5.2 |
Western States | 1.5 |
Southwestern States | 0.5 |
This data shows the highest densities in the Southeast and Northeast, followed by Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states. The species occurs in much lower numbers in the drier western states.
Exact densities can vary locally based on specific habitat. Exceptionally high-quality habitat may support 20-30 pairs per 100 acres while marginal habitat may have fewer than 5 pairs per 100 acres. Average territory sizes are estimated between 5-20 acres per pair.
Key Habitats
Now that we’ve examined their overall range, let’s highlight some of the most important and characteristic habitats for white-breasted nuthatches region by region:
Northeast
– Deciduous forests, especially near water or clearings
– Mature oak groves
– Urban parks with large mature trees
Southeast
– Southern riverbottoms dominated by cottonwood, sycamore, or cypress
– Pine-oak woodlands
– Open pine savanna with scattered large pines and oaks
Midwest
– Floodplain forests along major rivers
– Upland deciduous woods, especially oak-hickory
– Wooded slopes and ravines
Northern Rockies
– Broadleaf riparian woodlands (cottonwood, birch, ash)
– Aspen groves interspersed with conifers
Southwest
– Low-elevation canyon streamsides (sycamore, oak, willow)
– Pinyon-juniper woodlands with oaks
So in summary, the white-breasted nuthatch shows a strong preference for mature broadleaf deciduous woods across nearly all of its range, particularly favoring floodplains, streamsides, and upland slopes. The availability of large old trees for nesting seems to be a key factor determining their local distribution and abundance.
Conclusion
The white-breasted nuthatch occupies a broad range across eastern and central North America. These small active songbirds occur year-round through most of their range but are scarcer and more migratory in the drier western parts of their range. They strongly prefer stands of mature deciduous trees, especially near openings and in riparian areas, where they nest in cavities and forage on trunks and branches for insects and seeds. Though widespread, loss of suitable mature woodland habitat remains a long-term threat to their populations. Protecting remnant stands of older floodplain forest and upland woods will benefit the white-breasted nuthatch across its range.