Indian nuthatch

Indian nuthatch
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Sittidae
Genus: Sitta
Species: S. castanea
Binomial name
Sitta castanea
Lesson, 1830

The Indian nuthatch (Sitta castanea) is a species of bird in the Sittidae family. It is found in India.

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

This species has been split by Rasmussen and Anderton (2005) from[2] the Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch. The Indian nuthatch (including the older prateri of the Eastern Ghats) is found South of the Ganges river. It is the only grey-backed, rufous-bellied nuthatch in the peninsula. Similar to the next but has a smaller bill and a frosty crown that is paler than the mantle. The wing and tail patterns lack contrast and has grey centres to the chestnut undertail coverts. Resident in the Terai and Gangetic plain extending into Central India, the Eastern Ghats, Sunderbans and a disjunct population in the Western Ghats. Breeds from February to July. Different in vocalization from the next.

References

  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Sitta castanea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  2. Rasmussen, P. C. & J. Anderton (2005) The Birds of South Asia:The Ripley Guide. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions.