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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In West Sikkim, India | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Sittidae |
| Genus: | Sitta |
| Species: | S. himalayensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sitta himalayensis | |
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
- BirdLife International (2016). "Sitta himalayensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22711164A94281551. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22711164A94281551.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- Rasmussen, P.C.; Anderton, J.C. (2005). Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions.
External links
- BirdLife species factsheet for Sitta himalayensis
- "Sitta himalayensis". Avibase.
- "White-tailed nuthatch media". Internet Bird Collection.
- White-tailed nuthatch photo gallery at VIREO (Drexel University)
- Interactive range map of Sitta himalayensis at IUCN Red List maps
- Audio recordings of White-tailed nuthatch on Xeno-canto.