From Opus

Photo by makus
Fraser's hill, Pahang, Malaysia, July 2007

Alternative name: Azure Nuthatch

Sitta azurea

[edit] Identification

13.5 cm. A medium-sized nuthatch

• Black crown to nape and ear-coverts
• Conspicuous pale eyering
• Violet-blue mantle (darker in expectata)
• Black and bluish pattern on wings
• Blue-black tail
• White chin, breast and upper belly
• Sooty black lower underparts to vent
• Dull sky-blue undertail-coverts
• Very long hindclaw

Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults but duller.

[edit] Distribution

Southeast Asia: found from extreme southern Thailand to peninsular Malaysia, in Sumatra and Java.
Fairly common in suitable habitat.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

There are 3 subspecies:

• S. a. expectata:

• Malay Peninsula and Sumatra

• S. a. nigriventer:

• Western Java

• S. a. azurea:

• Eastern Java

Has been placed in its own genus Poecilositta.

[edit] Habitat

Montane forest, broadleaved and evergreen jungles. Occurs from 820 – 2745m.

[edit] Behaviour

They associate with mixed flocks of birdwaves during feeding in pairs or small flocks.
A restless and very vocal species. Resident in its range.

[edit] Diet

They mostly eat small insects.

[edit] Breeding

Poorly known. The nest is placed in a small hole in a tree. Lays 3 to 4 egg.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
2. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
3. Avibase
4. BF Member observations

• List of references

[edit] External Links