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Pygmy Nuthatch

Sitta pygmaea ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: SITTIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

A small, social, and noisy nuthatch of western forests.

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Appearance

Nuthatches
Nuthatches
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small nuthatch; climbs head-first down tree trunks.
  • Crown gray-brown.
  • Back gray.
  • Belly buffy white.

Immature Description

Similar to adult, but crown and nape gray and only slightly different from color of back.

Range Map Help

Pygmy Nuthatch Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Pygmy Nuthatch

    Adult
    • © Kevin T. Karlson

Similar Species

  • Brown-headed Nuthatch with distinctly brown cap and no white at base of central tail feathers. Ranges do not overlap.
  • Red-breasted Nuthatch larger, has white eyestripe, black or dark gray crown, and is reddish underneath.