White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)

This animated little bird is an enjoyable sight as it scurries over trunks and branches in search of insects. The white-breasted nuthatch does not migrate; it is a welcome resident of western Pennsylvania, where it prefers our abundant oak, beech, and hickory trees due to their large seeds and nuts.

The name “nuthatch” derives from the bird’s habit of wedging nuts or acorns into the bark of a tree, then using its sharp bill to extract the meat. Nuthatches will also store food for winter by hiding it in the cracks and crevices of tree bark.

Unlike most other bark-foragers, nuthatches are built to move in all directions on the surface of a tree. Their distinctive foraging technique includes a pause during which they hang from the tree with tail up and head out at a 90° angle, the charming and characteristic posture captured in the photo.

Photo: Bill Hubick

Click to return to $50 level or view another level:

Adoptions at the $50 Level include these benefits:

• Optional e-card for gift recipients (look on confirmation page after purchase)
• Personalized adoption certificate printed with unique band number, photo of adopted species, and species highlights
• Replica bird band
• Invitation to attend a special adopter-only morning at the bird banding station
• eNews updates about our bird research
• One free pass to Carnegie Museum of Natural History; $32 of each $50 adoption is tax-deductible
• Admission to Powdermill Nature Reserve is always free

Carnegie Museum of Natural History 412.622.3131
4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 cmnhweb@carnegiemnh.org
One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh