Western rock nuthatch

A Mediterranean species whose breeding area embraces Southeastern Europe, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Caucasus. It is permanent species in Bulgaria. Its distribution in the country includes rocky terrains in the Eastern Rhodopes, Western Rhodopes (in the lower parts), in the Karadjov Kamak area and others. In southwestern Bulgaria it occurs along the Struma River and reaches north to the Zemen Gorge; along the Mesta River, etc. It nests in the lower parts of Pirin, Western Rila, Ograzhden, Malashevska and Vlahina.

In Bulgaria, the Western rock nuthatch reaches 14 cm body length. The plumage on top is light gray with a black stripe, below – white with yellow-brown groin.

It multiplies on vertical rocks: from 2-3 m to a height of several tens of meters. The nests are in holes, cracks, etc.; rarely in the walls of buildings. In front, the nesting chamber is closed with a barrier of stuck mud and small stones in which there is a round entrance opening. In April it lays 6-13 white eggs with rusty brown spots. The young ones hatch after 15-18 days and stay in the nest for about 28 days. It feeds on insects; in the autumn and the winter on seeds and fruits.

They inhabit open rocky areas in the southern parts of the country, preferring terrains with lower altitudes.

Unknown.

In the Red Book of Bulgaria, the species is included in the category “Vulnerable” (VU), as well as in Annex 3 of the Biodiversity Act (BDA).

In the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is included as “Least Concern” (LC).

*Note: For the description of birds is used information from: Golemanski, V. & al. (eds). 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 2. Animals. BAS & MoEW, Sofia [English ed.: ISBN 978-954-9746-22-8 (IBER – BAS), 978-954-8497-18-3 (MoEW)]; Michev T., D. Simeonov, L. Profirov. 2012. Birds of the Balkan Peninsula. Ecotan, Sofia, 300 pp; the website of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).