Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (Sitta nagaensis) [XC891116]
by David Farrow from San Ju, Doi Lang, Fang, Chiangmai, Thailand (call)
Chestnut-vented Nuthatch (Sitta nagaensis) [XC793483]
by FREDERIC Lionel from Doi Lang West Slope, Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, Fang, Chiang Mai, Thailand (call)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), Kashmir Nuthatch (Sitta cashmirensis), Indian Nuthatch (Sitta castanea), Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch (Sitta cinnamoventris) and Burmese Nuthatch (Sitta neglecta). Formerly considered conspecific with Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), but the two differ vocally, and in area of range overlap in eastern China (Fujian) they differ also in ecology (present species montane, Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) in lowlands). Farther west in China, the two have been found at same locality in Sichuan and may overlap without intergradation, but situation far from clear, and more detailed study required. Birds of this species observed in north-eastern Arunachal Pradesh (north-eastern India) presumed to refer to subspecies montium. Birds of this species observed in southern Laos tentatively included in subspecies grisiventris. However, allocation of widely separated populations (in western Myanmar, southern Laos and southern Vietnam) to same subspecies seems untenable, and more detailed study likely to demonstrate that one or more hitherto unnamed subspecies are involved.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
montium La Touche, 1899 - Southern and eastern China (south-eastern Xizang, western and south-western Sichuan, Yunnan and extreme south-western Guizhou; isolated population in higher mountains of north-western Fujian), extreme north-eastern India (north-eastern Arunachal Pradesh), eastern Myanmar (northern Kachin south to southern Shan State) and north-western Thailand.
nagaensis Godwin-Austen, 1874 - North-eastern India (Patkai Range of south-eastern Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Cachar hills of southern Assam, Khasi hills of Meghalaya) and western Myanmar (northern Chin Hills).
grisiventris Kinnear, 1920 - South-western Myanmar (Mt Victoria, and probably also other mountains of Cand southern Chin Hills), southern Laos (Bolovens Plateau) and southern Vietnam (Da Lat Plateau south to Mt Pantar).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet