White-tailed Nuthatch
Sitta himalayensis
Simply-colored nuthatch with gray upperparts and pale orange underparts. Difficult to distinguish from similarly-colored nuthatches, but averages smaller than Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, and has a bright white spot on the tail base and a clean tan vent instead of a white-and-orange-striped one. Resides in Himalayan foothills, where it often forages in the middle and upper levels with mixed-species flocks.
Identification
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.
Taxonomy
Genus: Sitta; Family: Sittidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Sitta himalayensis
- Authority
- Jardine & Selby, 1835
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sittidae
- Genus
- Sitta
Range and habitat
Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-backed Puffback
Dryoscopus cubla
A small, canopy-loving black-and-white shrike with a fiery red eye. When excited, males can raise fluffy white feathers on the rump to resemble a puffball. The sexes differ, with males clean-cut and females duller and more cream-and-gray in coloration. Singles and pairs frequently join mixed-species flocks foraging agilely for insects, working the canopy of dense broadleaf woodland and riverine, lowland, and montane forest. Black-backed Puffbacks are often detected by their characteristic song: a loud click followed by a whistled wheeeoo,” the combination given repeatedly.
Brown Mesite
Mesitornis unicolor
Odd, plain brown, ground-dwelling bird that is rarely seen by those not looking for it. Usually seen in pairs or family groups, walking on the forest floor. Found in eastern rainforest at low and middle elevations, usually on steep slopes. Call is a loud and explosive series of descending or two-noted whistles, usually given in duet by a pair. Can be separated from other mesites by range. Similar to Madagascar Wood-Rail, but slimmer, longer-tailed, and with paler underparts.
Moltoni's Warbler
Curruca subalpina
Closely related to Subalpine Warbler. Paler rufous below compared to the western species of Subalpine Warbler and lacks contrast between the rusty throat and whitish belly like the eastern subspecies of Subalpine Warbler. Breeds in Mediterranean scrub. In winter found in semi-arid acacia savanna. Call a diagnostic dry “trrrrr,” reminiscent of Spectacled Warbler.
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