Brown-headed Nuthatch
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Sittidae
Genus:	Sitta
Species:	S. pusilla
Binomial name
Sitta pusilla Latham, 1790
Subspecies
S. p. caniceps S. p. insularis S. p. pusilla
Range in green

The Brown-headed Nuthatch, Sitta pusilla, is a small (approximately 3.5 in/8.9 cm in length) songbird found in pine forests throughout the Southeastern United States. An endangered population occurs in the pineyards of Grand Bahama; some authorities consider it to represent a separate species, S. insularis.^[2] The bird, like other nuthatches, possesses a sharp black nail-like beak, which it uses to pound open seeds. It is a frequent visitor to feeding stations and is highly fond of sunflower seeds and suet cakes.

Bold and inquisitive, this bird is readily approachable by humans. The bird is frequently observed using a small chip of bark held in its beak as a tool to dig for insects.

This species of nuthatch sports a brown cap with narrow black eyeline and buff white cheeks, chin, and belly. Its wings are bluish-gray in color. A small white spot is found at the nape of the neck. The bird's call is a sharp whee-hyah sounding very similar to a "rubber duck" toy and particularly is loud for a bird its size. They also make softer "pit pit pit" calls while in flight as well as other squeaking noises.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Brown-Headed Nuthatch at USGS.gov
• Brown-Headed Nuthatch at the Birdhouse Network
• Brown-headed Nuthatch at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology Bird Guide
• Brown-Headed Nuthatch videos, photos & sounds on the Internet Bird Collection.
• Brown-headed Nuthatch Bird Sound