Red-breasted Nuthatches Visit Iowa

Washburn's Outdoor Journal / November 22, 2016

Photography courtesy of Lowell Washburn, all rights reserved.

Winter bird feeding brings countless hours of pleasure to thousands of Iowans statewide. Observing our backyard visitors becomes even more interesting whenever a rare or unusual species makes a surprise appearance. The red-breasted nuthatch is a species currently filling that bill.

A resident of northern and western mountain pine forests, the red-breasted nuthatch is an energetic, miniature version of the more familiar white-breasted nuthatch. This year, the species is currently being sporadically reported at feeders across the state. While white-breasted nuthatches are common visitors to virtually every suet and sunflower feeder in the state, the tiny red-breasted is rarely, if ever, seen by most Iowans. Keep a sharp eye, and you may get your chance this winter. If one does happen to pay a visit to one of your backyard feeders, you’re likely to immediately spot the difference. In addition to its smaller size and hyper demeanor, the red-breasted’s black eye stripe, overall darker plumage, and rusty red breast make it readily distinguishable from its larger and more common cousin.

About The Author

Lowell Washburn

Born in North Central Iowa, Lowell Washburn has enjoyed a lifelong interest in the out of doors. He began photographing wild birds at age 10, and outdoor photography soon became his passion and eventually a career. Washburn is best known for images that portray migratory waterfowl and other wetland wildlife in their natural habitats. His best photographs are often obtained after spending hours floating amid natural marshlands, half submerged within the dark confines of a floating muskrat house blind. Upon completing military service as a sergeant with the Fourth Infantry Division in the central highlands of South Vietnam, Washburn returned to Iowa in 1970. His wildlife photos began appearing in Iowa newspapers in 1971 and he began authoring outdoor news columns in 1978. Today, his photos and writing have appeared in over 50 national and international magazines including Outdoor Life, International Wildlife, Field&Stream, Ducks Unlimited, Pointing Dog Journal, the NAFA Journal, and others. After working as a naturalist for Iowa’s county conservation board system, Washburn was recruited by the Department of Natural Resources in 1984. His primary duties included statewide communication with Iowa newspaper, television, and radio news agencies with a primary goal of increasing the level of public awareness and appreciation for Iowa's natural resources. During his tenure he also served as staff member for the Iowa Conservationist Magazine and for the DNR’s Iowa Outdoors Magazine. Washburn retired from the DNR in 2010. In addition to wildlife photography, his ongoing outdoor passions include falconry, traditional bow hunting, waterfowling, spending time with hunting dogs of all types, and herpetology.

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