The Red-breasted Nuthatch is the most
widely distributed and abundant of
the three nuthatch species found in
British Columbia Its reddish belly and
white eye-stripe readily distinguish it from the other two species. Red-
breasted Nuthatches move quickly over trunks and branches probing
for food in crevices and under flakes
of bark. They creep up, down, and
sideways without regard for which way
is up, and they don’t lean against their
tail the way woodpeckers do. Their flight
is short and bouncy. It is believed when the
Nuthatch flutters into your awareness, it bears
a message of keeping the faith and trusting what
you know within, even if you can’t see it with your
natural eyes. /SANDRA JAMES
