FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF THE PYGMY NUTHATCH IN COLORADO PONDEROSA PINE FORESTS

Abstract

The Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) is a permanent resident of montane habitats in the Rocky Mountain region, occurring most commonly in forests of Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa). In Colorado, the center of its distribution is in the lower montane region (1,660 to 2,425 m) (Bailey and Niedrach 1965, Andrews and Righter 1992).