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Nuthatches (Sittidae)

White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis) - HBW 13, p. 130

French: Sittelle de l’Himalaya German: Weißschwanzkleiber Spanish: Trepador del Himalaya
Other common names: Himalayan Nuthatch

Taxonomy: Sitta himalayensis Jardine and Selby, 1835, Simla, Himalayas, north India.
Affinities within genus uncertain. Formerly considered conspecific with S. victoriae on grounds of common character of white in central tail feathers, but otherwise morphologically distinct and both occur on Mt Victoria (Myanmar), although probably separated altitudinally; suggested also as being close to S. pygmaea and S. pusilla, and relationship with these two supported by possibility that partners may duet; alternatively, strongly developed black eyestripe and uniform undertail-coverts may indicate affinity with S. yunnanensis. Birds from Lushai Hills.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Sitta himalayensis Jardine and Selby, 1835, Simla, Himalayas, north India.
Affinities within genus uncertain. Formerly considered conspecific with S. victoriae on grounds of common character of white in central tail feathers, but otherwise morphologically distinct and both occur on Mt Victoria (Myanmar), although probably separated altitudinally; suggested also as being close to S. pygmaea and S. pusilla, and relationship with these two supported by possibility that partners may duet; alternatively, strongly developed black eyestripe and uniform undertail-coverts may indicate affinity with S. yunnanensis. Birds from Lushai Hills (Mizoram), in NE India, described as race lushaiensis on basis of somewhat paler underside, but variation slight and naming of geographical races considered unwarranted. Monotypic.

Distribution: NW Himachal Pradesh (Chamba) E in Himalayas to NE India (NE Arunachal Pradesh, also from Nagaland S in hills to S Mizoram) and W & NE Myanmar, also adjacent parts of S China (S Xizang, W Yunnan); also NW Vietnam (Fan Si Pan, in NW Tonkin). Single records from E Myanmar (near Kengtung, in S Shan State) and N Laos (Tranninh plateau) possibly refer to non-breeding visitors.

Sounds

1 recording
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