| Length: 4.25 inches | Wingspan: 8 inches | Seasonality: All Seasons |
| ID Keys: Grayish-brown cap, gray upperparts, light underparts, white cheeks and chin | ||
Sociable birds, Pygmy
Nuthatches are most often seen in small groups as they forage for pine seeds and
insects. Their social behavior extends to the breeding season, when nests
may have "helper" birds which assist the mating pair in bringing food
to the young. Rarely found away from pine forests of the western U.S.,
they are typically only found in the Black Hills in South Dakota.
Habitat: Found primarily in ponderosa pine forests. They can also occasionally be found in other types of pine forests, in pinyon-juniper woodlands, and in redwood canyons.
Diet: Primarily feeds on insects in the summer. The winter diet includes many seeds, especially pine seeds.
Behavior: Usually feeds quite high in pine trees, climbing along main trunks and branches as well as the tips of the branches. Will also sometimes observe from a perch and fly out to catch passing insects.
Nesting: April through June
Song: Wide variety of warning and flight calls, often given in near-unison as small groups move.
Migration: Generally a permanent resident throughout their range, but may move to lower elevations in years with a poor pine-seed crop.
Interactive eBird Map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Pygmy Nuthatch sightings
Similar Species: Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch
Feeders: Will attend feeders for various nuts and seeds
Conservation Status: Generally stable, although local declines evident in areas of heavy logging.
Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Pygmy Nuthatch
3) Audubon Guide - Pygmy Nuthatch
Photo Information: September 9th, 2006 - Near Greer, Arizona - Terry Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Pygmy Nuthatch photos.
| Click on the map below for a higher-resolution view |
 |
| South Dakota Status: Rare permanent resident in the Black Hills. |
Additional Pygmy Nuthatch Photos
Click for a higher-resolution version of these photos
ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHTED. Click below if you have interest in any of these photos for:
| Commercial Use |
| Fine Art Print |
| Personal Usage |
SOUTH DAKOTA BIRDS AND BIRDING - LOCATIONS OF WEBSITE VISITORS
Please mail all comments/suggestions/gripes/complaints to: Dakota Birder
Click here for other references used to compile this page