Algerian Nuthatch

The Algerian Nuthatch can easily be identified by its shape and plumage, which resemble those of the Nuthatch. As it is the only Nuthatch present in the forests of the north-east of Algeria, there is no problem with identification. It is smaller than the Nuthatch, but larger than the Corsican Nuthatch, to which it bears a strong resemblance. Along with the Krüper's Nuthatch (to which it is closely related genetically), they form what used to be called the 'mesogean nuthatch' group, which is spread around the Mediterranean Sea.
The upper parts are a blue-grey colour, like most members of the family. Depending on the light, the age, or sex, grey or blue will predominate. The wing feathers and rectrices are brownish-black, the former with a blue-grey edging and the latter, apart from the middle ones, with a white subterminal mark spreading from the inside to the outside. This can only be seen on a flying bird, thus seeing it in the wild is not easy. The underside is cream with russet, but again, this can vary in different lights. The colour is lighter and creamier on the throat and under the tail feathers, which are uniform. The beak is quite short and somewhat upturned due to a strong gonial angle, while the culmen remains straight. It is two-coloured, blackish at the base and blue-grey above.
There is a sexual dimorphism present, but not very noticeable. The male has more colourful and contrasted plumage. It can mainly be identified by the black at the front of the crown going up to the level of the eyes, clearly separated from the blue which follows.A black band runs along the beak to the top of the ear, including the dark eye. Shorter than in the Common Nuthatch, it is very clear in front of the eye, but less so at the back. This band is highlighted by a clear white eyebrow and contrasts with the pale cheeks. In the female, the black of the crown is less pure, clearly less extended and less well defined, and the eye line less pronounced. The eyebrow is more cream. Note that these plumage characteristics become clear only with wear. The juvenile resembles the female, with even less distinct characteristics, an indistinct band and eyebrow, a crown of the same colour as the mantle, itself paler and less blue. Sexual dimorphism already seems to exist in young birds, of the same order as in the adult, namely a darkened crown to the eye in the young male, and a crown of the same colour as the mantle in the young female, with only a dark point on the forehead.