Alternative name: Azure Nuthatch
- Sitta azurea
Identification
13.5 cm. A medium-sized nuthatch
- Black crown to nape and ear-coverts
- Conspicuous pale eyering
- Violet-blue mantle (darker in expectata)
- Black and bluish pattern on wings
- Blue-black tail
- White chin, breast and upper belly
- Sooty black lower underparts to vent
- Dull sky-blue undertail-coverts
- Very long hindclaw
Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults but duller.
Distribution
Southeast Asia: found from extreme southern Thailand to peninsular Malaysia, in Sumatra and Java.
Fairly common in suitable habitat.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
There are 3 subspecies:
- S. a. expectata:
- S. a. nigriventer:
- Western Java
- S. a. azurea:
- Eastern Java
Has been placed in its own genus Poecilositta.
Habitat
Montane forest, broadleaved and evergreen jungles. Occurs from 820 – 2745m.
Behaviour
They associate with mixed flocks of birdwaves during feeding in pairs or small flocks.
A restless and very vocal species. Resident in its range.
Diet
They mostly eat small insects.
Breeding
Poorly known. The nest is placed in a small hole in a tree. Lays 3 to 4 egg.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- 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
- Avibase
- BF Member observations
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Blue Nuthatch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Blue_Nuthatch
External Links
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