White-tailed nuthatch

The white-tailed nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis) is a species of bird in the family Sittidae. It ranges across the northern and northeastern parts of the Indian Subcontinent, existing mainly in the low-to-middle Himalayas, as well as associated mountain ranges. It is found in Bhutan, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Tibet and Thailand.

White-tailed nuthatch
Species photographed from West Sikkim, India

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sittidae
Genus: Sitta
Species:
S. himalayensis
Binomial name
Sitta himalayensis
Jardine & Selby, 1835

Description and ecology

It may be identified by the buff underside, smaller beak than in the Kashmir nuthatch (S. cashmirensis). The white on the upper tail coverts is difficult to see in the field. It has a small bill and rufous-orange underparts with unmarked bright rufous undertail-coverts.

Resident in the sub-Himalayan range from Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh and into the South Assam Hills (Lushai Hills). It breeds from March to May in broad-leaved and mixed forest.[2]

Habitat

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Sitta himalayensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Rasmussen, P.C.; Anderton, J.C. (2005). Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions.


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