White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis Latham       Field Guide IDs: NG-332; G-234; PE-212; PW-pl 45; AE-pl 354; AW-pl 387; AM(II)-338 Nest Location Nest Type Eggs & Mating System Dev. & Parental Care Primary & 2ndary Diet.. Foraging Strategy F I: 12 DAYS ALTRICIAL 10 feet - 60 feet (3 feet - 60 feet) F -M 5-8 (3-10) MONOG F: 14 DAYS MF BREEDING: Decid (esp), mixed decid-conif forest, woodland, forest edge, occ conif forest; prefers mature stands with decaying large trees. 1? brood. DISPLAYS: Courting male carries food to female, performs bowing and singing ritual with head feathers raised, tail spread. NEST: In natural cavity or deserted woodpecker hole; bed of soft bark shreds, hair, feathers. EGGS: White to pinkish-white, usu heavily marked with reddish-brown, esp at large end. 0.8" (19 mm). DIET: Includes spiders; in winter takes many acorns, nuts. Young may be fed 100% animal food. CONSERVATION: Winter resident. Rare cowbird host. NOTES: Pairs maintain feeding territories throughout year. Within pairs, males always dominant over females, e.g., in gaining access to food. In winter, roost singly in cavity; occ join mixed foraging flocks with Brown Creepers, chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers. STANFORD. NOTES: Common resident in oak-dominated areas throughout campus, only occasionally occurring away from oaks. Nests in natural cavities and old woodpecker holes. ESSAYS: Bird Guilds; Mixed-Species Flocking; Territoriality; Courtship Feeding REFERENCES: Kilham, 1972; Waite, 1987a.