Crows (Corvidae)

Kashmir Nutcracker (Nucifraga multipunctata) - HBW 14, p. 611

French: Cassenoix du Cachemire German: Himalajahäher Spanish: Cascanueces del Himalaya
Other common names: Larger-spotted/Indian/Himalayan Nutcracker

Taxonomy: Nucifraga multipunctata Gould, 1849, north of the Pir Panjal Range, in Kashmir.
Usually treated as conspecific with N. caryocatactes, but has striking plumage differences from latter (of race hemispila), which it seems to replace abruptly in NW Himalayas beyond Pir Panjal Range; this and minor structural differences, and fact that intermediate individuals are extremely rare, suggests that treatment as separate species is appropriate. Monotypic.

Distribution: From E Afghanistan (NE Paktia and Nuristan), N & W Pakistan (Fort Sandeman N along Suleiman Range, Chitral, Gilgit, Baltistan) and Kashmir (Sind Valley, Kishtwar, Badrawar) E into NW India (E to Lahul, in Himachal Pradesh) and possibly adjacent extreme SW Xizang.