In the matter of bird diversity, India ranks high. Of the total 9700 species worldwide, India has about 1300. Of these 142 are endemic to our country. Kerala, one of the smallest of the Indian states, has about 500 species of which 16 are endemic to Western Ghats. Also in the matter of colour and beauty some of our birds are the most exquisite found anywhere.

Here we see a Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, a passerine bird from Sittidae family of Passeriformes order under the class Aves. The Velvet-fronted Nuthatch is a very active and restless forest bird, which does not relax while searching for food on tree branches. Like a small mouse and unlike woodpeckers it can climb up and down the branches.

The nests of Velvet-fronted Nuthatches are built inside small tree hollows using fine green moss which is what the bird in the video is collecting. The preferred habitats of Velvet-fronted Nuthatches are open evergreen forests, though it is found inhabiting all types of woods.

The Velvet-fronted Nuthatch feeds on insects and spiders. It has a short tail, powerful bill and feet. It has the colour of violet-blue with pale purple coloured cheeks. The average length of a Velvet-fronted Nuthatch is 12.5 centimetres. The IUCN red list of threatened species declares this bird as of ‘Least Concern’.

Courtesy: http://birdwingtours.com/