Since I wanted to reserve the last space on the wall where a medallion would fit for a special, dedication painting, I portrayed both Nuthatches in the same medallion. They are small and similar birds of the same genus, albeit different species. Both the Red-breasted Nuthatch and the White-breasted Nuthatch are present in the Perkasie area. They eat insects and spiders in the warmer months along with seeds and nuts which they eat year round by storing them in the bark of trees. These Nuthatches may be present here year round.
The White-breasted Nuthatch (sitta carolinensis) is tolerant of the cold, with a year round presence in the most of the lower 48 US states and parts of central Canada and Mexico. It does not usually migrate. It nests in a natural cavity in a tree or in the nest formerly belonging to a woodpecker, between 15′ and 60′ above ground. Adults can be observed sweeping the area around the nest entrance and the interior with a dead insect in its beak. It is thought that the insect’s bodily fluids may provide a repellent to predators.
The Red-breasted Nuthatch’s (sitta canadensis) range extends further north to include the southern half of Canada. If it gets too cold or food becomes scarce, it will migrate hundreds of miles. It prefers conifers and generally hollows out its own nest. It will coat the edge of the entrance with sticky pitch to discourage the curiosity of predators and competitors. To enter the nest, it will fly straight in. The red Nuthatch has a lower pitched, louder and more melodic song than the white. These songs can be heard on links on their pages on the Audubon site at the links above.
This is the 32nd medallion on the wall. This marks two thirds done. So I am right on schedule for my summer project. The question is, what am I going to do next summer? Anyone have a wall or building I can paint a mural on?
Family: Nuthatches
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