Velvet-fronted Nuthatch

Scientific Name: Sitta frontalis
Malay Name: Pepatuk Biasa
Chinese Name: 绒额䴓

Range:
From Peninsula India through mainland Asia to Sundaland and west Philippines.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: frontalis, saturatior, velata, corallipes, palawana.

Size: 12-13.5 cm

Identification:
Bright blue upperparts, pale underparts, with black forehead and bright red legs and bill quite unlike any other species in Singapore. Bill colour is paler in juveniles.

Habitat: Healthy Forest

Behaviour/Ecology: Often observed foraging along the barks and branches of trees alone or in pairs, frequently running upside down. Also observed in mixed flocks elsewhere in its range.

Local Status: Non-breeding visitor

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2016)

Featured articles:

• Bird List Revision for September 2021 – Special Edition (Revisions)

Past accepted records in our database:

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch at Johor. Photo credit: Keita Sin