White-breasted Nuthatch – Fish Creek Park, AB

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a charming, year-round resident of Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary. They are easily recognized by its white belly, gray-blue back, and habit of creeping headfirst down tree trunks. Found throughout much of North America, it favors mature deciduous forests—making Fish Creek’s mixed woods an ideal home. These energetic birds are often spotted near feeders or in the trees near Sikome Lake and the visitor center. You can hear the White-breasted nuthatch calling out with their distinctive nasal “yank.” A fun fact: they wedge seeds and nuts into bark and hammer them open. This is a behavior that inspired their name. They’re also known to cache food for winter in the same way, coming back at their leisure. Let us know if you are looking for a guide in the area.