White-cheeked Nuthatch

Sitta leucopsis

Small nuthatch with a large-eyed appearance. Blue-gray above and white below with a black crown and rusty sides. Very similar in appearance to the closely-related Przewalski’s Nuthatch, but no range overlap. Inhabits coniferous and mixed forests in the Himalayan foothills; male frequently perches on the tops of conifers during breeding season, giving an odd waggling display. Calls loudly and frequently with an insistent series of flat nasal bleats.

Identification

It is 13 cm (5 in) long, white cheeks, chin, throat, and underparts, upper parts mostly dark grey.

Taxonomy

Genus: Sitta; Family: Sittidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Sitta leucopsis
Authority
Gould, 1850
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Sittidae
Genus
Sitta

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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White-cheeked Nuthatch | BirdLens