Pygmy Nuthatch
Sitta pygmaea
Also known as: Californian Nuthatch
About This Species
Pygmy Nuthatches are birds of mature ponderosa pine forest in the western US, usually found in noisy, active flocks working their way along trunks and branches head-first in search of insects and pine seeds. Listen for their high, squeaky calls, which often reveal a flock before it is seen. They roost communally in tree cavities, so old pine snags with woodpecker holes are good places to watch at dusk, particularly in colder months.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- These small birds tolerate reasonably close observation if movements are slow and quiet, but avoid disturbing cavity trees, especially communal roost sites in winter when many birds may be packed into one hole.
- Removing or damaging snags used for nesting or roosting is discouraged and, on public lands in much of its range, restricted by forest management rules.
- Watching from a short distance with binoculars is preferable to approaching the tree itself.
LCAvesPasseriformesSittidae
Seasonal Activity
728,253 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sittidae
Photo
(c) Len Blumin, some rights reserved (CC BY)
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.