Bird Calls Radio's Bird of the Day for Wednesday, Aug. 17

The Bird Calls Radio’s Bird of the Day for Wednesday, Aug. 17, is the white-breasted nuthatch. Last week (or so) I featured the red-breasted nuthatch as the Bird of the Day. Today, it’s the larger and more common (at least in southern New England) white-breasted nuthatch.

I consider the white-breasted nuthatch one the “big three.” The Big Three — white-breasted nuthatches, black-capped chickadees and tufted titmice — is a method I use for keeping straight how many types of birds I’ve seen at my feeder on any given day. I almost always see all three of them, so it makes it easy to remember. Yes, I know all three of those birds are small and it’s a misnomer to call them the Big Three. Hey, it’s my system.

White-breasted nuthatches remain with us in New England throughout the year. They are a welcomed sight at the feeder at any time of the year, but especially in the winter when we long for our feathered friends. White-breasted nuthatches are easy to learn by ear, as well, as they utter a “yank, yank” call that is easily recognizable.

Be sure to check out Bird Calls every Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m. on WSTC/WNLK AM1400/1350 (in S. CT and nearby NY) or www.wstcwnlk.com from anywhere in the world (where there’s Internet access, that is.) Thanks for checking in.