White-breasted Nuthatch Sitta carolinensis
Flight call description No known flight call. In short flights has been documented to give a low, slightly downward-arched, variably husky, "aaah" (or a more descending "aaar"), usually given singly or doubled. Also given in short flights is a terse, slightly descending "ip", usually repeated in a series of variable cadence.
Fig.1. New Jersey November 29, 1999 (MO).
"Aaah" call from perched bird.
Fig.2. New York February 26, 1989 (WRE).
"Ip" note from perched bird.
Examples
Diurnal calling sequences:
1. New Jersey November 29, 1999 (MO). "Aaah calls from perched bird.
2. New York June 28, 1990 (WRE). "Aaah" calls from perched bird with Song Sparrow and other songbirds.
3. Maryland December 26, 2001 (MO). "Aaah" calls from perched bird with Blue Jay, Cedar Waxwing, Red-winged Blackbird, American Crow, and Golden-crowned Kinglet calling in the background.
4. New York February 26, 1989 (WRE). "Ip" calls from perched bird.
Similar species See Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Behavior Irruptive migrant. Primarily a nocturnal migrant but engages in redetermined migration. Gives flight call regularly while perched and in diurnal flight. Not known to give flight call in nocturnal migration.