Sulphur-billed nuthatch
The sulphur-billed nuthatch is a species of bird in the family Sittidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forest and tropical moist montane forest. It is commonly found in mixed flocks along with Blue-headed fantails, sunbirds, flowerpeckers and other small forest birds.
Description and taxonomy
Subspecies
Six subspecies are accepted:Sitta oenochlamys oenochlamys — Panay, Guimaras, Negros and CebuSitta oenochlamys mesoleuca — Northwest Luzon around the Cordillera Mountain RangeSitta oenochlamys isarog — Luzon except the NorthwestSitta oenochlamys lilacea — Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Sitta oenochlamys apo — Mindanao except for the Zamboanga PeninsulaSitta oenochlamys zamboanga — Zamboanga Peninsula, and BasilanEcology and behavior
Feeds on insects. Found singly, in pairs, in flocks of up to 20 individuals and also joins mixed species flocks. It is very active and forages near the canopy, it is often seen on trunks where its gleans loose bark, moss or epiphytes.Birds have been collected in breeding condition with enlarged gonads in January to May. Not much else is known.
Habitat and conservation status
Its natural habitats at tropical moist lowland and montane primary forest and secondary forest up to 2,060 meters above sea level. It is more common in higher elevations.The IUCN Red List has assessed this bird as least-concern species as it is still common throughout its large range. The population is decreasing due to the habitat loss and deforestation in the Philippines. More studies are recommended to better understand this species, population and conservation status.