Algerian Nuthatch
Encyclopedia
The Algerian Nuthatch, Sitta ledanti, is a small passerine
bird
which is the only bird species endemic
to Algeria
, where it is also the only nuthatch
. It was first discovered in 1973.
The Algerian Nuthatch is a resident bird
of four areas of mountain forest in northeast Algeria. Its range is limited by the availability of woodland, and it occurs only above 1000m, with the population density increasing with altitude.
It feeds on insects and seeds, and seeds are also stored in food caches.
It has the ability, like other nuthatches, to climb down trees, unlike species such as woodpecker
s which can only go upwards, but does not flycatch.
The Algerian Nuthatch is 13.5cm long, slightly smaller than the Eurasian Nuthatch
, and has the typical nuthatch big head, short tail and powerful bill and feet. It is blue-grey above, and buff below. The male has a 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.
This territorial species nests in holes, usually in old pine
s, either self-excavated or old woodpecker nests.
The Algerian Nuthatch has a kna call and a fluted quair-di, quair-di, quair-di, quair-di, quair-di, song.
This bird is officially endangered as it is restricted to just four breeding sites. The population is less than 2,000 pairs; the main threats are fire, grazing and tree-felling, which destroy the habitat.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
which is the only bird species endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, where it is also the only nuthatch
Nuthatch
The nuthatches are a genus, Sitta, of small passerine birds belonging to the family Sittidae. Characterised by large heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet, nuthatches advertise their territory using loud, simple songs...
. It was first discovered in 1973.
The Algerian Nuthatch is a resident bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
of four areas of mountain forest in northeast Algeria. Its range is limited by the availability of woodland, and it occurs only above 1000m, with the population density increasing with altitude.
It feeds on insects and seeds, and seeds are also stored in food caches.
It has the ability, like other nuthatches, to climb down trees, unlike species such as woodpecker
Woodpecker
Woodpeckers are near passerine birds of the order Piciformes. They are one subfamily in the family Picidae, which also includes the piculets and wrynecks. They are found worldwide and include about 180 species....
s which can only go upwards, but does not flycatch.
The Algerian Nuthatch is 13.5cm long, slightly smaller than the Eurasian Nuthatch
Eurasian Nuthatch
The Eurasian Nuthatch, Sitta europaea, is a small passerine found throughout temperate Europe and Asia, although not in Ireland. It belongs to the nuthatch family Sittidae....
, and has the typical nuthatch big head, short tail and powerful bill and feet. It is blue-grey above, and buff below. The male has a 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.
This territorial species nests in holes, usually in old pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
s, either self-excavated or old woodpecker nests.
The Algerian Nuthatch has a kna call and a fluted quair-di, quair-di, quair-di, quair-di, quair-di, song.
This bird is officially endangered as it is restricted to just four breeding sites. The population is less than 2,000 pairs; the main threats are fire, grazing and tree-felling, which destroy the habitat.