brown crown, blue-gray back and wings (California, USA; 2007-08-04)
Pygmy Muthatch Sitta pygmaea
Native Range: North America and Middle America
Notes: a small nuthatch of western pine forests where it replaces the Brown-headed Nuthatch of the southeastern USA; like all nuthatches, it scrambles upside-down as well as rightside-up along tree trunks and large limbs; slightly upturned bill is used to probe under bark in search of grubs and other insects; no sexual dimorphism.
note rather large, upturned wedge-like bill (California, USA; 2006-08-05)