Red-breasted Nuthatch and Chickadee Compared

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This season two little Red-breasted Nuthatches, Sitta canadensis, have decided to spend some of their time close to my cabin. I’m delighted in part because this species doesn’t often show up here. The last time I saw one was the wonderful winter of 2009 – 2010. This is the one I saw back then, in the picture above, with the snow and pinecones.

Since then I have learned that many people have trouble telling the difference between this fun, tiny bird and the similar looking Chickadee.

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In the photo above, at the birdbath that is close to my kitchen window, you’ll see one of the Red-breasted Nuthatches showing off his long pointed bill, his striking eye stripe, and his buff colored breast. About that buff colored breast, I wonder who comes up with the names of birds? Red-breasted?

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In this picture of a Chickadee, compare his tiny round shape, a shape that I like to compare to a ping-pong ball, his very tiny bill, his black throat and lack of an eye stripe, with the photograph of the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Similar, but note those differences.

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Now, in your next encounter with a tiny black and white Red-breasted Nuthatch, or Chickadee, if the encounter is not fleeting, perhaps you’ll be able to tell which you are seeing. The little one, above, trying to speed away with no identification is a Chickadee.

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Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

2 thoughts on “Red-breasted Nuthatch and Chickadee Compared”

  1. Brenda before I migrated I was also visited by the red breasted nuthatch and was so happy to see him! Like you, their visits are sporadic and not a sure thing. They are so cute. I love to watch this tiny nuthatch and the larger nuthatch flitting all over my garden together.

    1. Kathy, it is such fun to see all the different birds that come by, whether regulars and I could almost call by name or those just passing through. Nice for you that you have two homes and can get to know even more. Oh the differences you must see! Enjoy your time down there Snow Bird! 🙂

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