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Definition of white-breasted nuthatch
white-breasted nuthatch
Plural:white-breasted nuthatches
white-breasted nuthatch Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A small, active songbird (Sitta carolinensis) native to North American forests, recognized by its white face and breast, blue-gray back, and unique habit of foraging by creeping headfirst down tree trunks.
Example
"While hiking through the mature oak forest, we spotted a white-breasted nuthatch spiraling headfirst down a large tree trunk in search of hidden insects."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name 'nuthatch' derives from the Middle English 'notehache', meaning 'nut-hacker', referring to the bird's habit of wedging seeds into bark crevices and hacking them open with its bill. 'White-breasted' describes its distinct plumage.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of White-breasted nuthatch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/white-breasted nuthatch