From Opus

Photo by john-henry
Lesvos, Greece, May 2004

Sitta krueperi

[edit] Identification

12.5cm. A medium-small nuthatch.

• Black front half of crown
• White supercilium
• Reddish-brown breast-patch
• Greyish-white rest of underparts
• Blue-grey upperparts

Sexes similar but black on forecrown less pronounced in female.

[edit] Distribution

Found on Lesvos (Greece), Turkey, extreme southwest Russia and Georgia.
Fairly common in its range.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Pine and spruce forest, closely associated with Turkish pine. Occurs up to 2000m, locally higher.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on insects and spiders during breeding season. Takes seeds of Turkish pine or other coniferous trees in autumn and winter.
Usually seen singly or in pairs, outside breeding season in samll parties of 2 to 5 birds. Often forages among smaller branches in treetops. Stores food for future consumption.
Breeding season from April to May. Defends its territory vigorously. The nest is placed in a tree hole. Lays 5 to 7 eggs.
A resident species with some post-breeding dispersal.

[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

• List of references

[edit] External Links