Nuthatches (Sittidae)

Algerian Nuthatch (Sitta ledanti) - HBW 13, p. 134

French: Sittelle kabyle German: Kabylenkleiber Spanish: Trepador de Kabilia
Other common names: Kabylie/Kabylian Nuthatch

Taxonomy: Sitta ledanti Vielliard, 1976, Djebel Babor, Algeria.
A member of a species group that contains also S. whiteheadi, S. krueperi, S. villosa, S. yunnanensis and S. canadensis, and all sometimes thought to form a superspecies. Differs from others of group in being slightly larger and less restricted to coniferous forest. Recent evidence from mitochondrial DNA suggests that its closest relative is S. krueperi, with S. whiteheadi, S. villosa and S. canadensis more distantly related (no S. yunnanensis material was available for analysis). Monotypic.

Distribution: NE Algeria (Petite Kabylie mountain region).