From Opus

Photo by Rajiv Lather
India

Alternative name: Himalayan Nuthatch

Sitta himalayensis

[edit] Identification

12cm. A small Nuthatch.

• Small bill
• Rufous-orange underparts
• Plain bright rufous undertail-coverts
• Diagnostic white patch on tail (often concealed)
• Blue-grey upperparts
• Black mask

Sexes similar, females are duller. Juveniles similar to adults.

[edit] Similar species

Less boldly patterned head and less contrastingly patterned underparts compared to White-browed Nuthatch. Smaller, with shorter bill, white in tail and slightly paler underside than Kashmir Nuthatch.

[edit] Distribution

Found in the Himalayas from northern India (Himachal Pradesh) east to Nepal, Bhutan and northeast India. Also patchily in northwestern Burma, southern China (Tibet, Yunnan) and northwest Vietnam. Records from eastern Burma and northern Laos probably refer to non-breeding visitors.
Common in parts of its range, rare in others.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species.
Formerly considered conspecific with White-browed Nuthatch.

[edit] Habitat

Broad leaved and mixed forest, moist forests and montanes. Occurs up to 3050m.

[edit] Behaviour

Feeds on insects, nuts and seeds.
Forages singly and in pairs. In summer and early autumn also in small flocks and outside breeding-season often in mixed-species flocks.
Breeding season March to May in Indian Subcontinent. The nest is placed in a tree cavity, if the hole is too large it will be reduced to 25-38 mm. Lays 4 to 7 eggs.
A resident species with some altitudinal movements.

[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. Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672

• List of references

[edit] External Links