HI ALL:
Someone asked about WBNU subspecies in WA recently, so here is what I
have found out:
2 subspecies occur in WA:
1) Sitta carolinensis aculetata ("Slender-billed Nuthatch") Western WA
2) S.c. tenuissima ("Inyo Nuthatch") Eastern WA

The 2 can be told apart by back and flank color: back medium-pale
bluish-gray with washed brownish-gray flanks (aculeata) or back dark
bluish-gray with flanks without brown (tenuissima).
Although called "Slender-billed Nuthatch" aculetata's bill averages
shorter than tenuissima.
The population of the "Slender-billed Nuthatch" in Western WA has
declined recently especially around the south end of Puget Sound
(still present?).
Sincerely

Ian "Birdbooker" Paulsen
Bainbridge Is., WA, USA
ipaulsen at linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us
"Rallidae all the way"