- Sitta whiteheadi
Identification
12cm
- Blue grey upperparts
- Buff underparts
Male - black crown, black eyestripe, white supercilium
Female - grey crown, grey eyestripe
Juvenile - similar to adult but duller
Similar species
Very similar to Algerian Nuthatch which has only forecrown black.
Distribution
Endemic to Corsica.
A restricted-range species. Uncommon and local but not threatened.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Recent DNA studies suggest that is most closely related to Krüper's Nuthatch, Algerian Nuthatch, Chinese Nuthatch and Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Habitat
Mountain pine forests. Occurs at 750 to 1800m. In winter occasionally lower.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes insects, spiders and seeds. It will store food. Forages in pairs and singly, outside breeding season in mixed-species flocks. Forages like a tit in needle clusters and among small branches, in winter more on trunks and larger branches.
Breeding
Breeding season April to May. It excavates holes in old pine trees. The clutch consists of 5-6 red-speckled, white eggs.
Vocalisation
Call: pu-pu-pu
Song: hididididididi
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) Corsican Nuthatch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Corsican_Nuthatch
