White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis nelsoni) Twelve subspecies have been described while 9-11 are recognized, author dependent with only subspecies nelsoni being mapped for Arizona. Photographed on the trunk of a mesquite tree in Ash Canyon, Hereford, Arizona, USA. Huachuca Mountains in the Upper Sonoran Life Zone, Madrean Pine Oak habitat at ca. 1,585 m (5,200 ft) elevation.