The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #70642   Message #1206626
Posted By: GUEST,Tiffany Twitcher
14-Jun-04 - 01:12 AM
Thread Name: BS: Anyone seen a Parsimonious Nuthatch?
Subject: RE: BS: Anyone seen a Parsimonious Nuthatch?
I had the profound pleasure of seeing a Parsimonious Nuthatch when on a trip to Romania in 1987. Here is some information of interest:

Parsimonious nuthatch Sitta parsimonium
Nuthatches are small passerine birds that can be found in most temperate-zone forests around the world and some tropical regions as well. They possess some unique traits, the most famous are climbing down head-first, and narrowing their nest entrance with mud.

The Parsimonious Nuthatch can found in the upper reaches of Romania.
Identification Tips:
•        Length: 5 inches
•        Straight mauve bill
•        Indigo crown and nape
•        White face
•        Purple underparts
•        Blue-gray upperparts
•        Crimson undertail coverts
•        Short tail
•        Sexes similar but female duller
•        Feeds by hopping along tree trunks and branches often hanging upside down
Similar species:
Because of its unique feeding strategy, the Parsimonious Nuthatch is most likely to confused with other nuthatches. Red-breasted Nuthatch has a black eyeline and reddish underparts. Brown-headed and Pygmy Nuthatches have brown caps and a white patch on the nape. Red-breasted, Pygmy and Brown-headed Nuthatches are mostly found in pines while the White-breasted prefers deciduous trees.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.

best wishes

Tiffany Twitcher-Neste