Afghanistan (B) (NB), Bhutan, China (mainland), India, Nepal, Pakistan.
North-eastern Afghanistan (Nuristan south to northern slopes of Safed Koh and Paktia province), and Himalayas from northern Pakistan (south to Kurram valley and Murree Hills) east to Kashmir and northern India (northern Himachal Pradesh, northern Uttaranchal Pradesh east to Kumaon), and north-western Nepal (Langu valley, L Rara and Dolpo east to Tarakot, on Dhaulagiri massif).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
White-cheeked Nuthatch (Sitta leucopsis) [XC103693]
by Andrew Spencer from Great Himalayan NP, Himachal Pradesh, India (call)
White-cheeked Nuthatch (Sitta leucopsis) [XC19905]
by George Wagner from Kaghan Valley, Pakistan (call)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Forms a superspecies with Przevalski's Nuthatch (Sitta przewalskii) and until recently considered conspecific, but separated on basis of significant morphological and vocal differences. Sometimes thought to be closely related to White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) and has been treated by some authors as conspecific with it, the contact calls of the two being rather similar; has also been allied with the "Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) group" and, again, some similarity with latter in vocalizations. However, given the close similarity of all the medium-small nuthatches precise relationships obscure, and comprehensive genetic studies required.