Invasion of the Red-Breasted Nuthatches!

This fall and winter, there have been predictions of high numbers of many typically “northern” species of migratory birds heading south due to poor quality/low quantity of seed crops in the north. The need to forage for food often leads large flocks of birds, such as finches and nuthatches, to head south in their search, causing what’s known as “irruptions” in areas not usually visited by these species.

Here in Dacula, GA at Timber Tiger Headquarters, we are currently welcoming a small flock of 3-5 Red-Breasted Nuthatches in our backyard! An adult male was spotted about one week ago coming to one of our backyard seed feeders (most likely picking out peanuts or sunflower seeds). We soon found a small flock of at least one female, one juvenile, and possibly two males scooting up and down our large Loblolly pine trees bordering our back and side yard. Similar to White-Breasted Nuthatches, they have a very distinct “toot-like” call that they use to communicate to one another with.

After observing them this past week, I’ve noticed that they seem quite aggressive at the feeders and amongst the pine trees. They chase away some of our Brown-Headed Nuthatches, yet seem to get along with our Carolina Chickadees. Hoping they stay around this winter, or at least until the first week or so of Project Feeder Watch (which begins this Saturday, November 10th!)

If you want to attract Red-Breasted Nuthatches, I recommend putting out a good quality seed mix that has shelled peanuts and sunflower seeds. As winter sets in, nuthatches also seem fond of suet. One of my new favorites is Cole’s brand Hot Meats suet, mainly because squirrels and all other mammals will avoid it because it has habenero mixed in. Birds, however, LOVE this suet because they do not have the same nerve receptors to taste spicy peppers (really interesting evolutionary trait actually!).

In honor of this Red-Breasted Nuthatch invasion 2018, I’ve decided to create a new collection based on 3 of the 4 nuthatches native to North America; Red-Breasted, White-Breasted, and Brown-Headed. I will not include the western Pygmy, mainly because I have no photos I’ve taken of this species and appearance-wise, it’s basically just like our southeastern Brown-Headed. All 3 have visited our pine trees and feeders and 2 are common throughout North America. I can’t wait to see what else winter 2018-19 will bring!

Check out Project Feeder Watch through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:

https://feederwatch.org/

Be on the lookout for the new Nuthatch collection and new holiday products, including Christmas cards!

~Megan