The Kashmir nutcracker or large-spotted nutcracker (Nucifraga multipunctata ) is a passerine bird related to the spotted nutcracker. Until recently, it was considered a subspecies. It is found in the western Himalayas.
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withIt is a distinctive corvid with heavily streaked and spotted plumage. They are usually 32–35 cm (13–14 in) in length. They have a wing length of 195–212 mm (7.7–8.3 in), with a weight of 155–173 g (5.5–6.1 oz) for females and 165–177 g (5.8–6.2 oz) for males.
It has a blackish crown and nape, with the sides of the head and the body plumage being blackish gray-brown. The body has heavy white streaking, spotting, and striping. Although the bird looks whitish from a distance, the breast and flanks show more brown than the rest of the body, also having more bold spotting. The wings are glossy black, with white tips on the coverts and secondaries. The tail is also glossy black and has white tips on all the rectrices. The vents and undertail coverts are completely white in colour. The bill is relatively slim, conical, pointed, and black in color.
It is found in eastern Afghanistan, north and western Pakistan, Kashmir, and northwestern India, with its range possibly extending to extreme southwestern parts of the Tibet Autonomous region in China.
It inhabits coniferous forests and mixed conifer and oak forests, especially in forests composed of blue pine, Pinus gerardiana, and Morinda spruce. It is found from an altitude of 1,000 to 4,000 m (3,300 to 13,100 ft), although it mainly stays with 2,000–3,000 m (6,600–9,800 ft) on alpine slopes. It may descend to lower altitudes in late summer to collect nuts for winter stores. It is also frequently attracted to human habitation.
Its diet is similar to that of the Eurasian nutcracker. It feeds on conifer seeds, mainly from Morinda spruce, P. gerardiana, and acorns from holly oak. It has also been reported taking walnuts and hazelnuts for winter stores.
Breeding season is thought to be in May–July, but egg-laying is probably earlier, in February–March. Nest with live young have been observed as early as the second week of March in Himachal Pradesh. The breeding season in Afghanistan ends around late April to early May, indicating that the mays hatch around January to late February.
It is a solitary nester, and has a single brood, though it may lay replacement eggs if the first egg is lost.
Nests are typically placed close against the trunks of trees, at a height of 10–30 m (33–98 ft) in dense conifers. The nests are well-built and have a deep cup. The nests are made out of twigs, decorated with lichens, and are lined with soft roots and pine needles.
Eggs are laid in clutches of 3–4 eggs. They are 32.8 mm × 25.4 mm (1.29 in × 1.00 in) in size on average, and pale blue in color, with dense brown markings. Parents are thought to share incubation.
The bird is not considered threatened. It is observed near human settlements in its range, suggesting that it may be able to adapt to humans, although more research is needed to assess how much habitat disturbance it can tolerate.
