Small nuthatch with a large-eyed appearance. Blue-gray above and white below with a black crown and rusty sides. Very similar in appearance to the closely-related Przewalski’s Nuthatch, but no range overlap. Inhabits coniferous and mixed forests in the Himalayan foothills; male frequently perches on the tops of conifers during breeding season, giving an odd waggling display. Calls loudly and frequently with an insistent series of flat nasal bleats.