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White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

The White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is a small, agile bird renowned for its distinctive ability to descend tree trunks headfirst, a skill that sets it apart from many other bird species. Found commonly across North America, this bird is slightly larger and more prevalent than its close relative, the Red-breasted Nuthatch, and is easily recognizable by its striking white belly and black cap.

Identification and Whereabouts

The belly of this Nuthatch species is completely white, unlike the Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). The second distinguishing feature is the black stripe that runs from the beak over the head to the neck. Unlike woodpeckers, this bird can walk headfirst down tree trunks and along the undersides of branches.

This species is quite common and can be observed year-round in parks throughout Montreal.

"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.

All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz

Last updated: 2025-01-12