One of two upside-down birds that we often see in Nova Scotia with unique bent and pointed beaks, developed over time to pry away bark and probe into the cracks of tree branches and trunks in search of insects. They can also be used to pry apart nuts and seeds in order to get at the fatty centres.
Appearance
These birds are bigger than chickadees. They have pale blue backs, white breasts, and black stripes from the nape of the neck to the top of their beaks. Their faces are all white with black eyes.
Food
Their food consists mainly of insects found as they work upside-down on branches and tree trunks, gleaning every insect possible from the crevices.
Habitat
White-breasted nuthatches are bigger than chickadees, with pale blue on their backs, white on their breasts, and wide dark black stripes going from the nape of the neck to the top of their beaks. Their faces are all white with black eyes.
