Habitat:
pine forests, open woodlands and forest edges

Description:
The pygmy nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) is a small forest passerine, measuring 9–11 cm in length and weighing 8–12 g, identified by its slate-blue dorsal plumage, brighter blue crown, and contrasting white throat. Endemic to western North America’s ponderosa and Jeffrey pine forests, it forages for insects, seeds, and resin in bark crevices. Highly social, it forms stable family groups year-round and often clings upside-down on trunks and branches. The breeding season runs from 01.04–30.06; it nests in cavities, laying 5–9 eggs incubated for 14–17 days, with hatchlings emerging between 15.04 and 17.07.

Recommended lens:
>=400 mm

Photography tips:
To photograph the pygmy nuthatch, position yourself near pine trunks at dawn or late afternoon for soft, directional light. Use a 400–600 mm telephoto lens on a monopod or gimbal for stability and mobility. Select aperture f/5.6–f/8 for sufficient depth of field and a shutter speed of 1/1000 s or higher to freeze quick movements in the canopy. Enable continuous autofocus (AF-C) tracking and shoot in RAW to preserve dynamic range. Remain quiet and patient, watch family groups closely, and anticipate their rapid trunk-to-trunk hops for well-timed shots.