Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer Scientific name definitions

13–13·5 cm; 24–37·6 g. A medium-sized pale grey nuthatch with variably broad black eyestripe. Nominate race in fresh plumage (autumn-winter) has top of head and upperparts , including upperwing-coverts, light grey with faint blue tone; primary coverts and tertials medium grey with slightly paler fringes, primaries, secondaries and alula dark grey-brown, secondaries indistinctly fringed and tipped pale grey, primaries (except outer two) indistinctly fringed paler; tail as upperparts, inner webs of feathers often darker, outer four feather pairs tipped slightly paler, outer two pairs with pale buff or whitish spot at tip of inner web; black eyestripe from nostril to side of upper mantle (c. 3 mm broad), ending irregularly; cheek, ear-coverts, side of neck and throat whitish , centre of breast and belly creamier, sides of breast and belly and rest of underparts pinkish-cinnamon; underwing-coverts and axillaries pale greyish-buff, base of underside of primaries and secondaries whitish, under primary coverts black; in worn plumage, upperparts duller and greyer, eyestripe slightly more distinct, flight-feathers bleached paler and browner, and underparts, especially flanks, paler; iris dark brown; bill dark grey or black, base of lower mandible pale bluish or bluish-flesh; legs greenish-grey to dark grey, soles sometimes slightly yellower. Differs from extremely similar S. tephronota in marginally darker upperparts and very slightly less prominent eyestripe. Sexes similar. Juvenile is very like adult but slightly duller, with duller eyestripe, narrow rufous tips on greater upperwing-coverts, and less contrast between breast and belly. Races vary only relatively slightly, mainly in size (nominate largest), in E of range also in prominence of eyestripe: zarudnyi is smaller and paler than nominate, upperparts as nominate or slightly paler, underparts paler and more extensively white, flanks and belly pinkish-buff; syriaca has upperparts even paler (pale ash-grey), underparts as pale or paler, size as nominate but bill slightly shorter; rupicola is darker above and below than preceding two, as nominate but upperparts slightly paler and less bluish, bill finer, tip laterally compressed; tschitscherini is small and pale, with much-reduced eyestripe 2–3 mm broad (may be virtually absent) but very narrow at rear and extending less than 10 mm behind eye (rather than 20–28 mm as in other races), upperparts slightly paler and purer grey than previous, whitish side of neck fades into grey of mantle, lower underparts paler pinkish-buff and lacking cinnamon tone; plumbea resembles last, but upperparts slightly darker (as rupicola but duller and less blue), throat, breast and belly pale grey, rather than whitish.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Areas with bare rocks , typically rocky slopes, cliffs and gorges in dry or arid regions, including walls, old buildings and ancient ruins, usually on limestone; a typical species of rocky maquis. Occurs in barren regions and in areas with low shrubs, herbs and grasses, and occasionally found in woodland with scattered rocks. Generally in hilly and mountainous areas: to 800 m (locally to 1600 m) in Greece; in Turkey mostly up to 1500 m in W & C parts and 2500 m in E, but recorded to 2700 m in Taurus Mts and c. 3000 m on Nemrut and Süphan Dagi in E, and rarely to 3300 m on Karanfil Dagi (in Anatolia); in N Iran found as high as 3350 m and generally above 1525 m, but sometimes as low as 915 m; in N Israel recorded at 400–2200 m (mostly above 1000m) and in Transcaucasus to 2000 m; in Bulgaria, recorded at up to 2200 m during post-breeding dispersal.

Resident; some post-breeding dispersal, sometimes to higher elevations (e.g. in Bulgaria and Israel). Also altitudinal movements in winter, when those breeding at higher elevations may descend to foothills and valleys in response to snowfall, although some remain above snow-line, on rocks and in snow-free areas. Occasional short-distance movement; in winter has occurred S of breeding range in Israel (to NW Golan and N Galilee), and two records (Apr, Oct) on Crete.

Food largely insects  and spiders (Araneae) in summer, and nestling diet entirely animal matter; in winter mostly seeds, although snails (Gastropoda) also important. Usually singly or in pairs, and partners of established pair move around together, and sometimes defend foraging territory (disputes common at territorial boundaries), but some overlap of feeding terri­tories can occur; in family parties after breeding and until post-juvenile moult, and sometimes larger flocks in autumn and winter (perhaps consisting mostly of immatures or individuals displaced from higher altitudes by inclement weather). Typically, forages on rocks and on ground, hopping and jumping, taking items from cracks and crevices; sometimes feeds in trees and shrubs. Wedges larger prey items in crack before smashing them with the bill; indulges in flycatching. Stores and buries food.

Very vocal, with wide repertoire of loud , often trilling notes. Contact call a variable “pit”, “tsik” or “chik”, may be given in flight, and at slightest excitement the notes run together to form trill or rattle, either rapidly slowing and dropping in pitch, or accelerating and then decelerating (these trills resemble the song); harsh “charr” or screeching “creea”, subdued or harsh and resembling call of Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius), given in aggressive and sexual encounters. Song  of male, from top of conspicuous rock or small tree, bird assuming very upright posture , a loud trill, typically descending in pitch, sometimes silvery, sometimes more melodic, the individual notes usually whistles of 1–2 syllables (occasionally 3), rising (“tui”, “dui” or “dwip”) or falling (“cheu” or “piu”), trill often preceded by descending “ititit”, thus “ititit tuit-tuit-tiut-tuit-tuit…”; each male has repertoire of four or more different song types; female may sing early in season, although song much less variable; in E parts of range, at least, partners sometimes engage in antiphonal duetting in spring and autumn.

Season mostly late Mar to Apr/May, at higher altitudes to late May, with presumed second clutches to early Jul; some pairs double-brooded. Both sexes defend nesting territory (i.e. immediate vicinity of nest). Nest built over course of 10–18 days, largely by male, female occasionally contributing lining material, a remarkable flask-shaped structure, sometimes rather large, with entrance tunnel  (usually projecting outwards) up to 10 cm long and with internal diameter 3–3·5 cm, built of mud, animal dung, hair, feathers, beetle wings and similar, chamber lined with hair, wool, feathers, grass etc. (may fill all available space), sited on rock face  , usually under slight overhang, and as low as 2 m above ground, or sometimes on building or other man-made structure; occasionally existing crevice or cavity used, entrance then sealed with mud; area around nest sometimes decorated with various objects, both natural and man-made, wedged into adjacent cracks and crevices; nests regularly reused, sometimes for many years in succession, or new nest built on to older structure. Clutch 4–10 eggs (recorded larger clutches of up to 13 eggs may include old eggs from previous years), white, usually sparsely speckled and blotched yellowish-brown to purple-brown, mean size 20·9 × 15·2 mm (nominate race); incubation by female, sometimes fed on nest by male, nest entrance may be plugged with lining material, incubation period 13–18 days; chicks  fed  by both parents, leave nest after 23–30 days, but probably dependent on parents for some time after fledging .

Not globally threatened. Quite common, although local, throughout most of range; rather scarce on Kerman massif, in S Iran (race plumbea). European population estimated at c. 17,000–37,000 pairs in Balkans, and entire Turkish population c. 158,000 pairs. Densities variable, maximum density in Bulgaria 13 pairs/100 km². Not uncommon in mountains of Lebanon, and population on Israeli part of Mt Hermon c. 20–50 pairs.