Eastern rock–nuthatch: Red Data Book of Armenia

Nuthatches — Sittidae

Status. A rare oligotopic species of limited distribution. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

Distribution. The species is spread from Armenia to Nakhichevan, then eastwards to the Elburz Mts. and southwards to Baluchistan.

Distribution in Armenia. Occurs mainly in the extreme south and south–east of the country, in semi–deserts.

Habitats. Occurs in semi–deserts, in rocky areas.

Biological traits. Five to eight eggs are laid once a year. Feeds on insects.

Population size and its trends. Available information in insufficient to judge about the population size. In the Meghri district, the population density is 0.6 individuals/ha.

Major threats. The population has been affected by the use of toxic chemicals to combat rodents.

Conservation measures. It is essential to substitute the use of toxic chemicals with some environmentally friendly alternative approaches.