Brown-headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla Latham, 1790    Synonyms: BHNU.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Aves   >   Order Passeriformes   >   Family Sittidae   >   Genus Sitta   

Status:

Common on the Eastern Shore in Loblolly Pine stands. Also common in the pine stands at Pt. Lookout, St. Mary's County. Appears to be expanding its range to inland Loblolly Pine communities.

Description:

Maryland's smallest nuthatch. The brown cap, gray back, and white belly are diagnostic among our three nuthatch species.

Where to find:

Brown-headed Nuthatches can be found in most Loblolly Pine stands on the Eastern Shore. Stands that are coastal or growing on the edges of salt marshes are more likely to hold nuthatch populations.

Relationships:

Very closely affiliated with Loblolly Pine.

There are 281 records in the project database.

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Brown-headed Nuthatch in Worcester Co., Maryland (1/18/2023). (c) daffodil7447, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - daffodil7447 via iNaturalist.

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A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Talbot Co., Maryland (2/22/2016). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Dorchester Co., Maryland (11/22/2018). Photo by Anthony VanSchoor. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (11/3/2017). Photo by Danny Poet. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in Dorchester Co., Maryland (3/21/2008). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch at Fairmount WMA, Somerset Co., Maryland (12/29/2009). Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in Dorchester Co., Maryland (5/21/2008). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in Dorchester Co., Maryland (10/12/2008). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in Wicomico Co., Maryland (11/5/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch on Fort Meade, Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (10/10/2012). Found by Michael Stewart, this pair of nuthatches is very significant in being well to the north and west of other Maryland populations. The closest reliable sites are in Calvert Co. along the Patuxent River and on Kent Island, Queen Anne's Co. Photo by Dan Haas. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Worcester Co., Maryland (5/19/2020). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (3/22/2020). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (9/4/2020). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in Worcester Co., Maryland (11/9/2014). (c) Frode Jacobsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Calvert Co., Maryland (1/3/2018). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Kent Co., Maryland (9/7/2015). Photo by Mike Hudson. (MBP list)

Brown-headed Nuthatch in Dorchester Co., Maryland (4/22/2020). (c) laurabankey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by laurabankey via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Brown-headed Nuthatch in Somerset Co., Maryland (3/10/2021). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)


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