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Bird Species: N
Pygmy Nuthatch
Where They Live: Pygmy nuthatches dwell in the pine, juniper and pinyon forests of the western United States. By pygmy nuthatch standards, the best dining is found in trees such as the ponderosa and yellow pine, where, among the upper branches and canopy, they search for insects and pine seeds. Groups of foraging pygmies make their presence known with a pandemonium of song and call notes. They use old woodpecker holes in these trees for nest cavities, although on occasion a pair will excavate their own nest hole in decaying wood. Larger cavities are used for roosting. And pygmies believe in maximizing the use of such sites, sleeping communally in large groups. One roosting cavity was found with 100 individuals camped out inside. During breeding season, nest building and caring for the young is a family affair. Yearling, unmated males from the previous season help in the feeding of the nestlings.
What They Eat: Insects, spiders and arboreal seeds comprise the bulk of pygmy nuthatch diets. Any insect attracted to the coniferous plants is likely to interest a hungry pygmy. During winter, they visit feeders for suet and sunflower, wedging the sunflower seeds into a suitable crevice and pounding them open using their bill as a chisel. Hence the name "nuthatch." Pygmy nuthatches are "seed cachers," meaning that they store seeds for later consumption.
Appearance: As its name implies, the pygmy nuthatch is a tiny sprite of a bird that measures less than four-and-a-half inches from stem to stern. In fact, it is the smallest of our North American nuthatches. The overall impression is of a very small, stocky, short-tailed bird. Males and females have the same plumage, blue-gray on their under parts with brown-gray capped heads. Look for a black eye line, white cheeks and buff breast. If a pygmy nuthatch favors you with a closer look, you may notice a pale spot on the nape of the neck.
Voice: Vocalizations include a high, rapid "peep-peep-peep" and an irregular "pee-dee." The best field clue to their presence may be a cacophony of twittering coming from the tops of pine trees.