There is absolutely nothing sweeter than watching my non-human neighbors in their quest to fulfill their destiny each spring. Just after the morning sun’s golden veil scatters its life-giving light, birds of many species pair up and begin building their nests in springtime. I’ve been spying as white-breasted nuthatches make regular visits to my seed feeder, but I was surprised to see a pair begin to fill an old birdhouse that was slated for a little TLC. Perching on the birdhouse or a nearby limb for a beat, they fly in one at a time, with grass and moss. Prior to entering their new abode, they announce their arrival with what seems to be a loud call for such a small bird.
I take my morning walk, and with each lap, I delight when I spy one of the pair patiently perched on the birdhouse, a bit of dried grass in its beak, and wonder what the nest looks like. The birdhouse appears to be overflowing with nesting material, but at my next go-around, the hole in the house has been ‘neatened’ up. The diligence of nest building will soon pay off, and the innate wisdom to feed and care for their brood will kick in.
The black, white, and grey cuties sport a short tail. Nuthatches feed on seeds in winter and insects in springtime. They are a delight to watch as they descend a tree head down in search of tasty morsels, including seeds that they have stored there. From time to time, they break open a seed that they’d hidden away in textured bark for a tasty snack, hence their name ‘nuthatch.’ These small, 4 to 7 1/2 inch woodland songbirds can be found in Lake County year-round since they are non-migratory, and are monogamous for a season. There are 25 species of nuthatches worldwide.
Nuthatches breed throughout North America, but steer clear of cooler, drier landscapes. They prefer to nest in decaying or mature trees with pre-made holes, such as a woodpecker’s cavity, and nuthatches rarely excavate a hole themselves. Their preference is for a nest hole that is 9 to 39 feet in height, which is another surprise to find them nesting in the bird box, since it is only five feet off the ground!
A nuthatch clutch is typically 5 to 9 white, speckled eggs, and is incubated by mom for 13 to 14 days. The helpless chicks are altricial, or helpless after hatching, and need the care of parent birds for a further 18 to 26 days before they fledge. Both hard-working parents feed the chicks, and the devoted male also feeds his mate while she’s incubating the family. After the birds fledge, juveniles leave to launch their own lives in a new territory.
Nuthatches need to be vigilant as their predators include various hawks, squirrels, and snakes. Some nuthatches have been known to spread beetle juice, or squashed beetles, around the nest cavity to deter predators with the nasty scent of the beetle.
As winter daydreams dissipate into spring’s marriage between land and its creatures, there is much to appreciate. Before the green-coated hills lose their lush and lascivious flowers designed especially to invite birds and insects, we are invited to enjoy nature’s bountiful flora and fauna.
Credit: Kathleen Scavone
