White-breasted Nuthatches Bringing Treats For The Kids

White-breasted Nuthatch photos by Larry Jordan

As I was checking the Oak Titmouse nest the other day, I heard White-breasted Nuthatches sounding their typical single note call in the oak tree a few feet away.  I looked up to see the male approaching an opening in the tree where a branch had died off and created a cavity.

Here he is carrying a moth toward the opening where they had built their nest (it’s easier to see the moth if you click on the image to get the full sized photo).

Here he is with some worms or grubs of some kind.  Note how dark his black cap is and the dark markings on his wings.

The female White-breasted Nuthatch has a lighter colored back and cap.  Their nestlings must be getting fairly large because they were bringing them food at ten to fifteen minute intervals.

If you live in an area with large shade trees like these oaks, you will likely find single, large trees that provide nesting cavities for several birds at once.  Here you can see another oak with White-breasted Nuthatches and Tree Swallows nesting just a few feet apart.

Here is a short video of this Nuthatch pair bringing food to the nest.  I put two visits together, the second visit, both parents showed up at about the same time.  The female comes in first, then the male has to wait for her to come out before he can deliver his goodies.

Go check out all the other great bird photos at Bird Photography Weekly.