- Sitta magna
Identification
19.5cm. The largest Nuthatch.
- Bold broad black eyestripe
- Grey upperparts, nape and upper mantle paler grey
- Blue-grey tail with blackish outer tail feathers
- Off-white chin and throat
- Light grey underparts
- Rufous undertail-coverts with broad white tips
- Black bill with paler basal half of lower mandible
Sexes similar, females duller. Juveniles similar to females but with duller eyestripe.
Distribution
Found in southern China, Burma and northwest Thailand.
An uncommon to rare species, threatened by habitat fragmentation.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies[1]:
- S. m. ligea:
- South-western China (extreme southern Sichuan, north-western Yunnan and south-western Guizhou)
- S. m. magna:
Habitat
Found in open hill evergreen forest with frequent stands of tall mature pines. Forages also in dry open country.
Occurs from 1200 to 1830m in Burma, 1200 to 1950m in Thailand and 1250 to 3400m in China.
Behaviour
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in flocks. In China in autumn and winter also together with other nuthatches.
Not as restless as other nuthatches, but behaviour otherwise similar. Often in characteristic head-down pose.
Diet
Forages generally high up in pines.
Feeds on insects and berries.
Breeding
Breeding poorly known. One described nest was placed in a natural hole 2m above the ground. A nest in Thailand contained 3 young birds.
Movements
A resident species with some altitudinal movements possible.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- 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
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Giant Nuthatch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Giant_Nuthatch
