Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta pygmaea

Pygmy Nuthatches move quickly when they walk, hop, or climb. When they climb on a tree they always move head first going up or down the tree. Pygmy Nuthatches do not fly for extended periods; most of the time they fly only for quick, short trips between trees to look for food.

Description:

Male Pygmy Nuthatches have a grayish-brown crown on their heads; they also have a black stripe through their eyes, and a white line over their eyes. Their back and central tail feathers are bluish gray, and they have reddish brown underbellies. Pygmy Nuthatches have white spots on their outer tail feathers and have dark brown bills and feet. This small bird is 3 ¾-4 ¼ inches in length.

Voice:

A high staccato ti-di ti-di ti-di; a call to one another. Kit kit kit as they fly.

Food:

They will eat insects, insect eggs, beetles, spiders, ants, caterpillars. During the winter they eat pine nuts and acorns.

Nest:

Pygmy Nuthatches can build their own nests but prefer to use nests and other holes that have been previously made. Tree cavities are a favorite. The nest is made with feathers, wool and grass. Clutch of 6-9 eggs, spotted with reddish brown.

Habitat:

Resident of coniferous and mixed wood forests up to 14,000 feet.

Range:

Pygmy Nuthatches are found along the Pacific coast from Baja up into southern British Columbia, and range as far south as central Mexico.

Comment:

You can find them in Long Valley during the winter.

3/13/21/ok