Birds: Nuthatch
Wham! The large pane glass shook as the object struck. Too soft to be a golf ball, which often hits the house from the adjacent links course. Yet too loud to be good for whatever hit the window. Looking out the door window, the home owner spotted a nuthatch, crumpled over, face down on the front porch. It’s wing was jammed to the side and it’s legs were spread in a full split. The birds head was on it’s side also, but it’s left eye was twitching.
Going out to inspect, the bird was still alive. He picked it up and it’s toes clasped his index finger. Putting his hands around it’s body, the bird gently put it’s wings in alignment. Bringing the bird into the house, it’s pulse was going at about 150 beats a minute, or twice human pulse. It seemed shivering so the bird did not struggle, but seemed to calm down in his palm.
He stared at the bird intently. It’s eye stripe and buff breast were darker than he had expected. It was also smaller as his fingers stroked into the feathers. He could feel it’s body outline. It was so light!
After about three minutes, though, it’s eyes were apparently seeing clearly and it’s wings started to flutter.
Taking the bird outside and he opened his hand and balanced it on his palm. The bird stepped and then stood still, clasping his index and ring fingers. Slowly, he lowered his hand down to the porch table. He gently nudged to bird to the new perch. It reluctantly released his fingers and plopped down on the bench, sitting on its rump. Still dazed, it looked only straight ahead.
Slowly, the Nuthatch regained it’s feet, moved it’s head from side to side and re-calibrated it’s bearings. Off it flew to the lower branches of a nearby Shore Pine, in the front yard. Somewhat stunned, but still alive. It wings flapped in a frenzy and away it flew to find a safe spot to recover from this collision. Hope it makes it.
Bird Lesson
Help out the birds in your neighborhood. Be sure to put bird warning symbols (hawk or hummingbird silhouettes) on windows, screens, even if the windows are small and the screens seem opaque.
North American Nuthatches
These little guys climb up and down on tree trunks and their calls are unmistakeable. Be patient and the rewards are plentiful. These birds have some magical powers to are worth it in the long run.
North American Nuthatches
- White-breasted Nuthatch: (Sitta carolinensis)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch: (Sitta canadensis)
- Pygmy Nuthatch: (Sitta pygmaea)
- Brown-headed Nuthatch: (Sitta pusilla)
Eurasian and Global Nuthatches
- Eurasian Nuthatch: (Sitta europaea)
- Corsican Nuthatch: (Sitta whiteheadi)
- Algerian Nuthatch: (Sitta ledanti)
- Giant Nuthatch: (Sitta magna)
- Velvet-fronted Nuthatch: (Sitta frontalis)
Other Nuthatch’s in SE Asia:
According to the latest lists there are 29 species of Nuthatch, which are very similar, so be sure to check out the differences before declaring you have positively identified one.
White-cheeked Nuthatch Sitta leucopsis
Przevalski’s Nuthatch Sitta przewalskii
Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna
White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa
Blue Nuthatch Sitta azurea
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
Yellow-billed Nuthatch Sitta solangiae
Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys
Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea
Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla
Bahama Nuthatch Sitta insularis
Yunnan Nuthatch Sitta yunnanensis
Krüper’s Nuthatch Sitta krueperi
Algerian Nuthatch Sitta ledanti
Red-breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis
Corsican Nuthatch Sitta whiteheadi
Chinese Nuthatch Sitta villosa
Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer
Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota
Siberian Nuthatch Sitta arctica
White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis
White-browed Nuthatch Sitta victoriae
Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch Sitta nagaensis
Kashmir Nuthatch Sitta cashmirensis
Indian Nuthatch Sitta castanea
Burmese Nuthatch Sitta neglecta
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta cinnamoventris
Henry E. Hooper 