Regional Variations in Birds?

[BillyPilgrim]

I just had a week in South West Scotland and one of the birds I photographed was this Nuthatch.

Nuthatch - Wild About Britain Pics

I've got plenty of photos of these birds taken in West Yorks but this is the first I've taken in Scotland.

There seemed to be a few, subtle differences between the Scots and the local variety. This bird was a bit longer and slimmer. Bearing in mind that I'm colourblind, its colours also seemed a bit paler. Especially around the yellow area below the neck.

The feet also look a bit larger to me!

I just wondered if it was this bird (it was the only one I saw) or are the Scottish ones a bit different to the Yorkshire variety?


Nuthatch - Sitta europaea - Wildlife Photography

[Kayleigh]

Lovely shots of both they do look different as you said I have no idea hope someone can answer your question for you.

[Picidae]

Hi Billy

We get the caesia variety in the UK and Females are a lot paler than males - she's probably skinny due to breeding/feeding young.

Having said that, with many other species, there can be clinal and intermediate overlap between subspecies of various species of birds with birds often getting paler the further North one goes. The Continental Nuthatch, despite being also ssp caesia, can look very rufous indeed on the breast but not sure there's any well researched evidence to suggest this is clinal variation as such or just diet etc - Scandinavian Nuthatch are white breasted as are the Siberian ssp (with the former not showing any white at all on forehead). It's possible Scotland is on the extreme edge of the clinal range of Siberian ssp but they are still caesia Nuthatch rather than a different ssp.

[FUDGEY]

Nice shot, that bird does look rather pale. I am based in SW Scotland and Nuthatches were hardly ever seen only two years ago. Now they are pretty widespread and doing really well in some areas. Did you see this one near Castle Douglas by any chance?

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

Nice shot, that bird does look rather pale. I am based in SW Scotland and Nuthatches were hardly ever seen only two years ago. Now they are pretty widespread and doing really well in some areas. Did you see this one near Castle Douglas by any chance?

I've stayed up there for week for the last 3 years and its the first time I've seen a Nuthatch. It was a pleasant surprise.

Yes it was near Castle Douglas. Actually nearer to New Galloway but a very good guess!

See map for a precise location - it was taken in the garden of West Holmehead Cottage.

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[Adam Cheeseman]

Birds do have regional accents too. I wouldn't be surprised if Nuthatches sounded slightly different as well.

Cheers,

Adam