"Booby-trap Nest"

Red-breasted Nuthatch

    If you’ve ever tried to gather pinyon nuts without getting sticky, it’s impossible. By the end of the day gathering, or picking, you resemble a Tar Baby. This sticky substance is hard to get off, has a distinctive aroma, and if picked when hard..... can be used as chewing gum (not recommended). This smelly, gummy stuff also makes a great booby-trap.

    The Red-breasted Nuthatch takes no chances when making its nest. It covers the outside entrance to its nest hole with tree pitch (pine gum). This little bird will use a piece of bark as a tool to apply the sticky stuff. The gum then becomes a booby trap for any insect, predator or other bird trying to invade or take over the nest site.

    The Nuthatch is a bird of the high forests. The nest, being 15 feet or more above the ground, makes observation of nesting activities difficult. As they move along trunks and branches of trees they glean beetles, wood-borers, spiders and seeds. The Nuthatch goes up and down trees looking for these yummy snacks and to stash excess food under the bark for later use. The best time to spot this "up and down tree bird" is when it is busy going up and down the tree. We saw the Red-breasted Nuthatch on the Red Cliffs Audubon Field Trip to Cedar Breaks last week. It was a bird’s paradise with a zillion insects available for lunch, and a birder’s paradise because of the variety of birds in that area. Treat yourself to an unbelievable trip to the high, cool, country. Drive to Cedar Breaks and enjoy the myriads of flowers, and look for the Red-breasted Nuthatch. 

    The artist Judy Warren, has used watercolor pencil to draw the Red-breasted Nuthatch. The black cap, white eyebrows, and rusty colored breast, makes it easily recognized. Thank you Judy for the great picture. If you want more information about the Nuthatch, or want to talk about birds, call Marilyn Davis at 435 673-0996.