Learn about the Pygmy Nuthatch!
Habitat: These cute little birds are also unusual in that they have a winter survival strategy where large groups huddle together for warmth in tree cavities during frigid winter nights. Groups as large as 100 individuals have been observed huddling together in a single cavity roost to conserve energy. Unlike many other cavity nesting species, they roost in cavities throughout the entire year and appear to mate for life and not "cheat" on their partners, which is very uncommon in the bird world.
Diet: During the breeding season their diet is up to 85% insects gleaned from pine needle clusters or from under pine bark. In the winter they shift to eating fewer insects or insect eggs found under bark, and more plant matter such as pine seeds.
Fun Facts: The Pygmy Nuthatch is the smallest nuthatch species in the Western Hemisphere. Adults weigh around 10 grams, the weight of 4 pennies. Nearly half of all Pygmy Nuthatch nesting pairs have a "helper"- usually a yearling son or brother of one of the parents- that assists them in raising their young (this form of "cooperative breeding" is quite unusual in the songbird world).