Why do these nuthatches hang upside down from conifer cones?
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two weeks ago today I managed to get a few more photos I like of nuthatches foraging for Douglas Fir seeds. Recently I’ve posted several other photos of this behavior so by now it may seem like old hat to my viewers but it isn’t to me. I find the behavior difficult to photograph well and my percent of “keeper” photos is very low so when I get a shot or two that appeal to me I like to show them off.
Besides, who doesn’t enjoy seeing these pretty little birds hanging upside down from conifer cones…
They spend most of their time clinging vertically to the sides of the cones while they’re looking for seeds but getting good photos while that’s happening is rare because they’re usually probing into the cones with their bills so we can’t see their face or eye. But it’s a different story when they’re hanging upside down from the cones.
In my experience they seem to hang upside down at different times for two different reasons. They do it after they have a seed in their bill while they’re looking around to see what direction they can safely fly off without hitting any obstructions. That’s what this nuthatch was doing – immediately after my shutter clicked the bird took off with the seed in its bill, probably to cache it.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
They also hang upside down very soon after landing on the cone and before they’ve found any seeds, apparently to look for potential predators in the area before they’re distracted by their search for seeds. They have to be looking directly into the cone to find the seeds so it would be easy for something like a Cooper’s or Sharp-shinned Hawk to sneak up on them while they’re probing the cones.
Soon after this photo was taken the nuthatch assumed a more “normal” vertical position on the cones, found a seed and then took off with it.
For readers who may be tiring of my photos of nuthatches and chickadees on conifer cones I hope to get more variety in my photos in the coming days. But this stormy weather pattern we’ve been in recently has put the kibosh on my efforts to get out into the field again.
Hopefully we’ll get a break soon.
Ron
I adore these. That first bird is so sharp and clear. Is it the same one in the second?
I don’t know, Arwen. It’s possible.
Ron, I enjoy everything you post…old or not. Your posts are educational for me, which I so enjoy. Interesting information about getting into their nest as well as carefully looking for predators, which are always around looking for a snack! Thank you so much.
I appreciate your kind words, Alice.
With other things pressing, I got to this very late this morning.
I don’t see how one could ever tire of nuthatches and I certainly don’t tire of seeing your photos of them. Why upside down, a behavior for which they are famous? (Devil-Down-Head and Topsy-Turvey Bird are just two of many colorful colloquial names for them.) As they forage on the trunk of a tree, going head-down allows them to see insects in the crevices missed by the birds that forage head-up (woodpeckers, Brown Creeper). On cones it is even more important. As you point out, the best way to see the seed is from below and avoiding predators is essential. By being upside-down they can easily view the surrounding sky and scan for danger. More than once I have watched a Red-breasted Nuthatch hanging upside-down and spotting an accipiter overhead. If the nuthatch were to then fly, it would attract the hawk’s attention. But each time, the nuthatch moved around the cone using it as a shield and keeping it in the line of sight between itself and the hawk to avoid being seen. Once danger was gone, it resumed looking for seeds. The real treat is to watch one enter its nest hole. It doesn’t stop and perch on the edge as other birds do. It simply folds its wings and flies straight into the hole. I’ve often wondered how it stops in that small space without impaling itself on the far wall. Nuthatches are wonderful birds and each of our three species has their own unique and exciting behavior.
“It simply folds its wings and flies straight into the hole”
Wow, I had no idea. I’ve photographed and carefully watched a variety of cavity nesting birds during nesting season and I’ve never seen that. But then this isn’t one of the species I’ve watched that time of year. Thanks for all the interesting info, Dan.
They smear pitch around the edge of the nest hole, presumably to deter snakes and other potential predators/pests. By flying straight into the hole, they avoid getting their feathers stuck in it. A couple of days before the young leave, they put dust and other debris from the bottom of the cavity to cover the pitch so that the youngsters can safely leave without the risk of sticky pitch. Adults know how to come and go safely.
That second photo is a pleasure no matter how many I’ve seen of the birds upside down. Thanks, Ron!
I’m glad you like it, Nancy. Thanks.
I could never tire of these charming acrobats! I’d be interested in seeing some of the actual foraging shots – warts and all – because I don’t think I’ll ever get to see the behavior in real life.
Marty, I’ll have to remember your request next time I’m lucky enough to be photographing them. A Facebook friend asked to see the same kinds of photos so I looked for some but I deleted them all. Almost by definition they aren’t very good.
More victims of your itchy trigger finger, eh? 😉
Deserving victims…
I strongly suspect some of us would dispute that point. I can think of at least three of us who would very happily dumpster dive in your discards and am pretty certain there are more.
I’ll supply lunch while you’re diving…
I’ll gladly dumpster dive if you’re makin’ BLTs for lunch! Or manicotti.😋
You asked, “Why do these nuthatches hang upside down from conifer cones?” The answer is simple–because they can (and we can’t)! Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE birds AND I LOVE your photography of birds. The only down side is I linger for an inordinate amount of time, sipping coffee and enjoying, sometimes not changing out of my jammies into my big-girl clothes until almost noon! That said, I’m old now and can do what I want. LOL!
And no, I’m NOT weary of these photos. I doubt I’ll ever be weary of seeing your work, so do NOT worry about that! And if others are weary, the heck with them! (Again, I’m old now and don’t have to suffer fools gladly or no…LOL!)
And yes, “for the love of God, stay off the roads during this blizzard.” That’s a DUH!!
Lot’s of folks have to be remined of those “DUH” things, Laura. And then some of them STILL don’t have the good sense to heed the warning. That’s when they get into trouble in those blizzards and then the sheriff has to go looking for them. Occasionally he finds them too late.
Laura, you beat me to it!! Must be a case of “birds of a feather.” 😄
Tiring of these beauties? Tiring of upside down acrobatics? Wash your mouth out.
Just the same I hope that you (and we) get a break in our respective weather. Soon.
I hope so too, EC. Hope your fires have quieted down some.
LOVE the nuthatch photos – they are SO cute and fun to watch even if not photograph…. 🙂 Interesting as to the reasons for some of their actions……. Have about a foot of light fluffy stuff on the ground and a “winter weather advisory” for blowing snow today tho nothing like they have N of us along the front! The satellite thing was for Kathy…….. “nimble fingers”………
Thanks, Judy.
That public service announcement from the Glacier County Sheriff you sent me yesterday was telling. Including this line:
“And, for the love of god….STAY OFF THE DAMN ROADS DURING THE BLIZZARD!!!! PLEASE!!”
He has a bit of a sense of humor and remembers “PLEASE” 😉 Will still be those who “have to do it” No wind here yet but has hit GF SW at 27mph……
I know from personal experience the sheriff when I lived there didn’t have a sense of humor and NEVER said please… 🙂
Very astute observations regarding their hanging posture. My dull brain has always thought it a cute behavior but hadn’t really considered the why. It also occurs to me how birds that eat cone seeds are so exquisitely adapted. I’ve tried to get at the seeds in various conifer species and ended up obliterating them to do so. Not even sure I could extract them with dissecting tweezers. Also, I see one reason they are so quick must be that they would have to cache a gazillion seeds for a proper meal.
I remember trying to dig those seeds out of the cones too. It isn’t easy. I think it helps that they wait until the cones open a little before they go after them – something I probably wasn’t smart enough to do… Thanks, Lyle.
Definitely don’t go out there into a bad weather situation in an effort to give us something new. The upside down Nuthatches are beautiful and can keep us entertained till the weather improves. I liked your observation about how they take time to observe their surroundings and check for potential predators before starting to eat. Even our backyard birds who are enjoying the winter suet, the birdbaths, and sunflower seeds on the ground are so cautious and observant and ready to fly off. These two photos seem to be especially sharp.
I’m glad you enjoy them, Everett. I won’t be posting any more photos like these anytime soon though.
Believe me, I took plenty of soft shots that morning too. I was often fighting for shutter speed and these birds are little speed demons.
I don’t believe anyone tires of ‘sweet little birds’…I certainly don’t. These are exceptionally sharp photos! Nuthatches are so quick and erratic in their movements that they are hard to capture this sharply. Love the second especially. 😍 The snow finally caught up with us over night…woke to a 5″ heavy blanket this morning with it still falling. Had to clean out the satellite dish after cleaning the feeders. Looks like a day of cleaning bird feeders hourly today. Hopefully there will be no power outages!
“they are hard to capture this sharply”
Understatement, Kathy. 🙂 When I said my keeper rate was low with this species that was understatement too.
Fingers crossed that your power stays on.
At least you can get to the satellite dish as can we! 😉 Many folks here have them on the roof and can’t get to them for clean off…..