Library Talk: Brown-headed Nuthatch

Gram for gram, few birds pack as much interesting biology into their feathered frames as the Brown-headed Nuthatch. These fascinating and very social birds use tools, engage in communal massages much like great apes, have helpers that assist the breeding efforts of other adults, and also excavate cavities that are used by dozens of other animals.

The nuthatch disappeared from Martin County many years ago, but Tall Timbers Research Station launched a reintroduction effort at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in 2018. Jim Cox heads up this effort and will be discussing how the work is progressing and what Tall Timbers has learned about the unique social life of this very curious bird.

Jim Cox is a Research Biologist at Tall Timbers Research Station. Most of his time is spent studying Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman’s Sparrows, Brown-headed Nuthatches, and other declining species of birds that are associated with southern pine forests. Cox also is engaged in land conservation efforts that make use of special programs designed to conserve habitat for rare species on private lands by reducing regulatory requirements, providing incentives for land management activities, and other tools. Jim received his M.Sc. from Florida State University and worked as a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for many years before moving to out Tall Timbers. He also taught a popular bird watching class at Florida State University for several years and continues to try to lure new bodies into the birding community.