VU
Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A., Fishpool, L.D.C., Boesman, P. and Kirwan, G.M. 2016. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - C2a(i)

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2020 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2016 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2012 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2008 Vulnerable C2a(i)
2004 Vulnerable
2000 Vulnerable
1996 Vulnerable
1994 Vulnerable
1988 Threatened
Species attributes

Migratory status altitudinal migrant Forest dependency high
Land-mass type continent
Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 1,220,000 km2 medium
Number of locations 11-100 -
Severely fragmented? yes -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 2500-9999 mature individuals poor estimated 2000
Population trend decreasing poor inferred 2014-2024
Rate of change over the past 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-19% - - -
Rate of change over the future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-19% - - -
Rate of change over the past & future 10 years/3 generations (longer of the two periods) 10-19% - - -
Generation length 2.4 years - - -
Number of subpopulations 2-100 - - -

Population justification: The population is estimated to number 2,500-9,999 mature individuals, based on an assessment of recent records and surveys by BirdLife International (2001). This equates to 3,750-14,999 individuals, rounded here to 3,500-15,000 individuals.

Trend justification: A moderate population decline is thought to be ongoing, owing to the moderately rapid loss and degradation of habitats across the range and locally high hunting pressure.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Bangladesh possibly extant native
Bhutan extant native yes
China (mainland) extant native yes
India extant native yes
Laos extant native yes
Myanmar extant native yes
Thailand extant native yes
Vietnam extant native yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Bhutan Deothang / Narphang / Samdrup Jongkhar
Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park
Bhutan Royal Manas National Park
Bhutan Thrumsing La National Park
China (mainland) Huanglianshan
India Barail Range forests
India Buxa Tiger Reserve (National Park)
India Chaglagaum - Denning
India Chayang Tajo - Khenewa - Lada
India Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
India Dichu Reserve Forest
India Dombang Valley - Lachung - Lema - Tsungthang
India Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
India Fambong Lho Wildlife Sanctuary - Himalayan Zoological Park - Ratey Chu Reserve Forest
India Jatinga
India Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest
India Lava - Neora Valley National Park
India Lowland forests of South Sikkim (Melli-Baguwa-Kitam, Jorethang-Namchi, Sombarey)
India Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary - Tendong Reserve Forest
India Magu Thingbu
India Mechuka - Tato
India Monigong - Jorgging - Tuting
India Mouling National Park
India Nacho - Limeking - Taksing - Majha
India Nafra - Lada area
India Namdapha National Park
India Namsangmukh - Borduria
India Saipung
India Sessa Orchid Sanctuary
India Singhalila National Park
India Taley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
India Upper Dihing (West) Complex
India Walong
India Zemithang - Nelya
Laos Nakai-Nam Theun
Laos Nam Xam
Laos Phou Loeuy
Myanmar Hkakaborazi
Myanmar Hponkanrazi
Thailand Doi Phukha
Vietnam Du Gia
Vietnam Fan Si Pan
Vietnam Tay Con Linh
Vietnam Van Ban

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Forest Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane major resident
Forest Temperate major resident
Altitude 600 - 2400 m Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Agriculture & aquaculture Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Agriculture & aquaculture Livestock farming & ranching - Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion
Biological resource use Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals - Intentional use (species is the target) Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Negligible declines Low Impact: 4
Stresses
Species mortality
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Declines Medium Impact: 6
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Biological resource use Logging & wood harvesting - Unintentional effects: (subsistence/small scale) [harvest] Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation
Natural system modifications Fire & fire suppression - Increase in fire frequency/intensity Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Declines Low Impact: 5
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Ecosystem conversion

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Pets/display animals, horticulture subsistence, national

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/beautiful-nuthatch-sitta-formosa on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.