Reflections of the Natural World

SIERRA NEVADA BIRDS – FEATHERS IN THE RANGE OF LIGHT – Blog Post Species #7

California’s “Range of Light” is home to a diverse array of both colorful and cryptic birds (the feathers). It is my intent to use my passion for birds and photography to paint a story about 120 of the most common or most sought-after Sierra Nevada (Range of Light) birds by most nature enthusiasts. Using my personal photographs in a blog post format, viewers will learn about the natural history and conservation status of these interesting birds.

Sierra Nevada Birds – Feathers in the Range of Light is a Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Red-breasted Nuthatch – Sitta canadensis
Name Roots: (Gr. sitte, “nuthatch” – of Canada)

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

In adult plumage male, top of head (forehead, crown, nape) is black, bordered below by white superciliary stripe and black stripe extending from base of bill through eye to nape; remaining upperparts bluish gray; underparts primarily rufous-cinnamon. Adult female similar, but top of head dark gray-blue, not black; eye-stripe never as wide or black as on male; and underparts paler. Juveniles similar to adults of their sex, but head-markings and underparts duller.

DISTRIBUTION & OCCURENCE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is a Common Year-Round Resident of the Sierra Nevada in the Lower and Upper Montane biotic zones.

eBird Bar Charts

CONSERVATION STATUS – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Category

The Red-breasted Nuthatch is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Redlist Classification Justification: This species has an extremely large range, the population trend appears to be increasing, and the population size is extremely large. For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. (DataZone RBNU Link)

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PLAYING WITH PHOTOSHOP – Dry Brush Filter