Przevalski's Nuthatch
Sitta przewalskii
白脸䴓
Introduction
A passerine bird species in the family Sittidae. Endemic to southeastern Tibet and west central China, including eastern Qinghai, Gansu, and Sichuan provinces. Inhabits coniferous montane forest of spruce and fir at altitudes of 2,250–4,500 m. Distinguished by its lack of the black eyestripe common to most nuthatch species. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN as of 2024, though the population is believed to be declining.
Description
A medium-sized nuthatch measuring 12.5–13 cm in length with a wingspan of approximately 22.5 cm. The upperparts are dark grey-blue or slate, becoming dark blue-black at the crown. The face shows pale buff-orange coloration on the lores, supercilium, ear-coverts, cheeks, and throat. Underparts are rich cinnamon, darkening to orange-cinnamon at the breast sides, with rufous flanks and undertail-coverts. Males and females are nearly identical, though males display brighter cinnamon coloration. The bill is thin and measures 17–17.6 mm. Lacks the eyestripe typical of other nuthatches.
Identification
Distinguished from similar nuthatches by the complete lack of the black eyestripe. Compared to the closely related white-cheeked nuthatch (S. leucopsis), this species shows more cinnamon coloration on the underparts rather than white or creamy-buff. It is marginally smaller than the white-cheeked nuthatch and has a markedly thinner, shorter bill (17–17.6 mm versus approximately 21 mm). Males are brighter than females.
Distribution & Habitat
Native to west central China and southeastern Tibet. In China, occurs in eastern Qinghai (including Daba Mountains and Menyuan Hui Autonomous County), southern Qinghai (Nangqên County, Xinghai County), Gansu (southwest of Xiahe and Min counties), and Sichuan (including Songpan County, Qionglai Mountains, Wolong District, Litang area). Has also been recorded in Kunming, Yunnan, likely as a winter visitor. In Tibet, found in northeastern Chamdo Prefecture and the South Tibet (Tsangpo) Valley region. Inhabits coniferous montane forest at elevations of 2,250–4,500 m, typically approaching the forest tree line.
Behavior & Ecology
Territorial calls consist of long verses composed of whistles that ascend in pitch, interspersed with short notes, differing from the more nasal notes of the white-cheeked nuthatch. Vocalizations include a muffled mellow chip in irregular series, a loud whistled dweep or dweep-eep, a nasal querulous que repeated 3–5 times, and thinner pee-pee-pee-pee or seet-seet-seet-seet notes. Reported as one of the shyest and rarest denizens of conifer forest, often leading a solitary life. May hawk for insects in flight from perch branches.
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2024). Although the population is believed to be declining, the decline is not considered severe enough to warrant a more threatened category. No subspecies have been identified.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Sittidae
- Genus
- Sitta
- eBird Code
- prznut1
Distribution
western China (Qinghai to southern Sichuan, southwestern Gansu, northeastern Tibet, and Yunnan)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.