Chinese Nuthatch
Sitta villosa
The Chinese Nuthatch (Sitta villosa) is a rare nuthatch found in 4 countries, weighing about 9 g. The Chinese nuthatch or snowy-browed nuthatch is a species of bird in the family Sittidae.
About the Chinese Nuthatch
The Chinese nuthatch or snowy-browed nuthatch is a species of bird in the family Sittidae. It is a small nuthatch, measuring 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length. The upperparts are blue-grey and the underparts from a dull buff-greyish to a cinnamon-orange; the cheeks are white. There is a marked sexual dimorphism: the adult male is distinguished by its very black crown, while that of the female is the same blue-grey as the back, or at most dark grey when the plumage is worn. In both sexes, a dark grey eyestripe extends in front of and behind the eye, topped by a clear white supercilium separating it from the crown. The song is variable, and composed of repetitions of small invariant whistles. The…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This species is locally found in sympatry with the Eurasian nuthatch (S. europaea), but differs from it in its smaller size, clearly visible white supercilium, black crown in males, and relatively plain underparts, lacking the reddish undertail coverts and flanks. In the west of its range, the Chinese nuthatch can also be found with Przevalski's nuthatch (S. przewalskii), and both have brightly cinnamon-coloured underparts. The Chinese nuthatch is easily distinguished by its black eyestripe, while Przevalski's nuthatch has very light cheeks contrasting with the breast. Voice: The Chinese nuthatch sings from the tops of pine and spruce trees. Harrap gives three basic types of calls. The first is a harsh, prolonged schraa, schraa call, reminiscent of the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), and similar to some calls found in the Corsican nuthatch, Algerian nuthatch, and Krüper's nuthatch. Given, in agitation or excitement, singly or in irregular series at intervals of 0.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Chinese Nuthatch can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Chinese Nuthatch?
- This species is locally found in sympatry with the Eurasian nuthatch (S. europaea), but differs from it in its smaller size, clearly visible white supercilium, black crown in males, and relatively plain underparts, lacking the reddish undertail coverts and flanks. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Chinese Nuthatch?
- The Chinese Nuthatch is a tiny sized bird weighing about 9 g.
- Where can you see a Chinese Nuthatch?
- The Chinese Nuthatch occurs in 4 countries, including China, South Korea, Russia and North Korea.
- What birds look similar to a Chinese Nuthatch?
- The Chinese Nuthatch is most easily confused with the Eastern Rock Nuthatch, the Sulphur-billed Nuthatch and the Corsican Nuthatch.
- Is the Chinese Nuthatch endangered?
- The Chinese Nuthatch is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Chinese Nuthatch for real
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