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The giant nuthatch is a species of bird in the family Sittidae. It is the longest of the nuthatches, measuring 19.5 cm (7.7 in) in length. Its upperparts are bluish grey, with the front being light grey, contrasting with the darker rest of the back. The bird has two very thick black eyebrow lines and light grey underparts, with whitish cheeks and throat, and a belly more or less washed with buff and cinnamon. For a nuthatch, it has a long beak and tail. The female can be distinguished from the male by its duller eye features and its upperparts having less contrast between the crown, nape, and lower back. The calls are powerful and made up of repetitions of simple patterns. The species…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The upperparts are dark bluish-grey, with the crown, nape, and upper mantle much lighter grey and somewhat streaked with black, varyingly between individuals, regardless of sex. The crown is framed by two thick black eyestripes that extend to the top of the mantle; in profile, the bird can even give the impression of having a black head. The underparts are light grey, with almost white cheeks and throat, and the belly is more or less washed with cinnamon. The undertail coverts are rufous, with large white spots.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Giant Nuthatch lives
When to see the Giant Nuthatch
Peak activity in February · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Burmese NuthatchSitta neglectaThe Burmese nuthatch, also known as the neglected nuthatch, is a species of bird in the family Sittidae.
Beautiful NuthatchSitta formosaDescribed by Erik Matthysen in his 1998 treatise The Nuthatches as a bird that "deserves its name", the beautiful nuthatch has highly distinctive plumage.
White-cheeked NuthatchSitta leucopsisIt is 13 cm (5.1 in) long, white cheeks, chin, throat, and underparts, upper parts mostly dark grey.
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