Bird Species
Date Photographed
Early January 2011
Where Photographed
This is one of four white-breasted nuthatches that visit daily to feast on the peanuts I put on the deck of my suburban Minnesota home. They wait patiently on the tree nearest the deck for the other birds and the squirrels to move away from the feeding station. Then, one or two at a time, they fly in, grab a peanut, and leave in the blink of an eye.
Tips and Tricks
- If you desire to photograph specific birds in your backyard over the winter, make sure first of all that they are actually present in your area. Then provide the food most preferred by that species, and position it so you can easily see the birds when they come to feed. Peanut parts attract the nuthatches, and I can sit right next to the glass doors to the deck and photograph them from the warmth and comfort of my living room.
Melissa Mayntz, Birding / Wild Birds Guide, says:
Peanuts are one of the best winter bird foods to offer not only to nuthatches, but also to titmice, jays and woodpeckers. They're a high-fat food that gives birds plenty of energy to survive even the coldest weather, ensuring you have a warm, healthy backyard flock to enjoy.
