Red - breasted Nuthatch

AS/IS 146 Views as of Nov 15/09
Nikon D300, nikkor 70-300 mm lens, ISO-320, f8, AP
Photo taken Sept 14/09 Carryling Place, ON
Copyright 2009 Lynda McDonald

Sitta canadensis
This is a tiny active, excitable, and delightful little bird of the North woods and Western mountains of North America. They travel the tree tops with chickadees, kinglets and woodpeckers but stick to the tree trunks in search of hidden insects. These are longish billed, short tailed songbirds with short legs and a flat shaped body. They love the seed of spruce, pine and fir trees.
Their yank yank calls sound like tin horns . In close contact you will notice a pip pip , almost sounds like a small chipmunk.
Males have the black cap and stripe. Nesting tends to be in dead trees or old woodpecker nests and they can be very discerning about exactly the right location.