An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family SITTIDAE: Nuthatches uses wildlife trees

FIELD MARKS There are three species of nuthatches in British Columbia. Nuthatches are small with short tails and straight, narrow bills. They are known for their ability to walk up, down and around the trunk and branches of trees using their strong toes and claws. They are sometimes called "upside-down birds" because they walk down trees head first. FOOD Nuthatches actively search the trunk and branches of trees for insects and seeds. Their habit of walking down trees head first allows them to find insects hidden in bark crevices that have been overlooked by birds that forage climbing up trees. To crack open seeds, the nuthatch often places the seed in a bark crevice and "hacks" it with its bill until the shell cracks. This is probably how this family got its name. Nuthatches also store food in crevices, similar to chickadees and jays. NESTING These birds nest in cavities in trees and sometimes even use birdhouses. They usually excavate their own cavities, but also use natural cavities and woodpecker holes. The female incubates the eggs while the male feeds her. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)