Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

© Ron Kube

Construction Difficulty

moderate difficulty moderate

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Nesting Range

Red-breasted Nuthatch Range
Source: Birds of the World

Nesting Habitat

  • icon Forest
  • icon Mountain

Attach Nest Box To

  • Building icon Building
  • Live tree icon Live tree
  • Pole icon Pole

Known Nesting Period

Not Nesting
Some Nesting Occurrence
Nesting in Most of Range
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Source: Birds of the World

Nest Box Placement

Height Range From Ground

5ft
15ft
5–15 feet

Spacing Between Nest Boxes

150 feet

Facing

Entrance hole facing visualization
Away from prevailing wind

Nest Box Measurements

Entrance Hole Size

Entrance hole size visualization 1 1/4"

Nest Box Depth (inside)

Nest box depth visualization 8"

Nest Box Width and Length

Nest box width and length visualization 5 1/2" 5 1/2"

Helpful Tips

  • Red-breasted Nuthatches typically excavate their own nest cavities in dead trees and only rarely use nest boxes; therefore, nest boxes are more likely to be successful in areas where dead trees are absent.
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch habitat is mature conifer-dominated forest. These nuthatches apply conifer resin to the entrance of nest holes, which may function to reduce competition and predation.
  • Place 1" wood shavings in box floor.