Brown-headed Nuthatch
A small southeastern pine-forest specialist that creeps over bark in social groups and can nest in cavities or suitable boxes.
By Birdly Yard Editorial TeamReviewed Updated
Local season
Months with a state-level historical signal for this species.
Ways to support Brown-headed Nuthatch
Choose a starting point for Brown-headed Nuthatch. Open a setup to see the supplies, steps and checks for your location.
A woodland edge
Trees beside open garden space
See setup & checksKeep a natural tree cavity
An existing hole in a safe tree
See setup & checksResource illustrations are not complete nest-box designs or a promise of visits.
Status
Backyard reports
Look for it
Listen for a squeaky call in open mature pine stands, then watch trunks, pine needles, and branches for agile movement.
Food
Spiders and bark-dwelling insects in warm months, switching toward pine seeds in colder months.
Nesting
Natural nesting guidance
Brown-headed Nuthatch habitat
Open mature longleaf, loblolly, shortleaf, or slash pine forest with an open understory and standing dead trees.
Brown-headed Nuthatch diet and food
Spiders and bark-dwelling insects in warm months, switching toward pine seeds in colder months.
A suet feeder can help within southeastern pine habitat, but open mature pine cover and safe dead wood are the essentials.
Brown-headed Nuthatch nesting and breeding
Uses or excavates cavities in dead or decaying trees and can use a correctly designed nest box; family helpers may assist.
Brown-headed Nuthatch behavior and where to look
Travels in noisy family groups, climbs in every direction on bark, and sometimes uses a bark chip to pry up loose bark.
Photography
Wait at a pine trunk or suet feeder and let the bird work naturally along bark.
What to avoid
Do not remove every standing dead tree, and use predator guards if installing a nest box.
Continue exploring
Explore related bird guides
Compare food, habitat and nesting. Local seasonal records vary by species.
