Alternative name: Kabylie Nuthatch; Kabylian Nuthatch
- Sitta ledanti
Identification
13.5cm (5¼ in) long. A medium-sized nuthatch.
- Blue-grey above
- Buff below
- Black crown and eyestripe separated by a white supercilium
The female has a grey crown and eyestripe.
Young birds are duller versions of the adults.
Similar species
Very similar to Corsican Nuthatch but only forecrown black not whole crown.
Distribution
North-eastern Algeria (Petite Kabylie mountain region).
Restricted-range species with a small population. Discovered as recently as 1975.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Recent DNA studies suggest that is most closely related to Krüper's Nuthatch, Corsican Nuthatch, Chinese Nuthatch and Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Habitat
Relict stands of montane oak-cedar forests. Highest densities above 1900m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds probably mostly on insects and spiders. In winter takes seeds and nuts. Stores seeds.
Breeding
Breeding season in May, probably single-brooded. It makes its nests in holes, usually in old pines, either self-excavated or old woodpecker nests. No information on clutch size.
Movements
A resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Algerian Nuthatch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Algerian_Nuthatch
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
