In the last post, I featured the Red-breasted Nuthatch that showed up on Friday, 9/29/17. Kathy Bildner asked if it was different than the one we usually see here and the answer is 'yes' - great question!

The White-breasted Nuthatch is a year-round resident for us in Missouri. The Red-breasted Nuthatch only shows up in 'irruptive' winters, when food is scarce to the north of us. There were only a couple reports last year of any Red-breasted Nuthatches being seen and maybe this year we'll have more sightings.  Here's a comparison photo so you can watch your feeders and bubblers for them. 

Red-breasted and White-breasted Nuthatches 1-24-17

Their calls are different, too. The Red-breasted Nuthatch sounds like a little tin horn. Just look for the 'Sound' tab at the links below to listen to them. 

More on the species:  White-breasted Nuthatch

More on the species:  Red-breasted Nuthatch

More information about the phenomenon of massive winter irruptions known as: Superflights