Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaea

(S. e. caucasica)

Armenian Name:	Սովորական սիտեղ

See Plate 53 for Eurasian Nuthatch and other similar species

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Common
Length:	14 cm, Wing Span:22.5-27 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 301.
Description:	Large-headed and short-tailed bird. Long black eyestripe and dark bill. Gray-blue above; white chin, pale orange breast and belly, and off-white spots on undertail coverts. Gray and white tips on outertail feathers.
Similar Species:	Differs from Rock-nuthatches by darker upperparts and mostly orange underparts with spotted undertail coverts.
Behavior:	Agile; often climbs head first down tree trunks. Wedges seeds in crack in bark before opening them.
Habitat:	Mature forests, tall riverside woodlands.
Food:	Invertebrates, seeds.
Nest:	Base of bark chips and moss in mud-plastered tree cavity or nest box.
Eggs:	20 mm, 6-8, white, red-brown blotches.