A tiny, active forest bird that can brighten a conifer-rich yard and sometimes visits feeders, especially in irruption years.
By Birdly Yard Editorial TeamReviewed Updated
Local season
Months with a state-level historical signal for this species.
Choose a starting point for Red-breasted Nuthatch. Open a setup to see the supplies, steps and checks for your location.
Black-oil seed + a raised platform
See setup & checksEstablished conifers with seeds available
See setup & checksAn existing hole in a safe tree
See setup & checksResource illustrations are not complete nest-box designs or a promise of visits.
Insects are important during the breeding season, while conifer seeds become more important in fall and winter. They may also visit sunflower, peanut, or suet feeders. Their visits can change between years as they move in response to cone crops.
They are strongly associated with coniferous forest, although they can use other wooded habitat. They nest in tree cavities and may place sticky resin around the entrance. Keep distance from an active cavity and retain safe mature trees that provide natural foraging and nesting structure.
Status
Backyard reports
Look for it
Watch conifer trunks and branches, often among chickadees and kinglets, and listen for the nasal yank-yank call.
Food
Insects and spiders from bark crevices, plus conifer seeds and feeder foods in season.
Nesting
Nest-box guidance available
Conifer woods, mature evergreens, and mixed canopy structure provide both food and protective cover.
Insects and spiders from bark crevices, plus conifer seeds and feeder foods in season.
A clean small feeder with sunflower seed, suet, or peanuts can help, but mature conifers and bark forage are the core resource.
Uses tree cavities and may use a correctly designed guarded nest box; avoid placing boxes in dense clusters of cavity competitors.
Box specification
1 1/4 in round entrance, 5–15 high, at least 150 apart.
Placement
Add 1 in wood shavings; face away from prevailing wind.
Install and maintain outside active nesting; do not touch, move, or repeatedly disturb an active nest.
Moves up, down, and sideways along bark, probing beneath flakes and around branches for hidden prey.
Wait near a trunk-side perch or feeder approach rather than following a foraging bird through its flock.
Keep resinous or damaged conifers intact where safe, and do not inspect cavities during nesting.
Continue exploring
Compare food, habitat and nesting. Local seasonal records vary by species.
