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. Taxonomy and systematics The Kashmir nutcracker is closely related to the Eurasian nutcracker (N. caryocatactes) and has only been split from it recently. Some authorities still treat these forms as conspecific. The two species are similar in appearance, though the Kashmir nutcracker in distinguished by a more whitish general appearance, along with a contrasting blackish crown, wing, and base of tail. It also has bold white spots on the base of its tail, with a relatively slimmer tail, and longer tail. It is monotypic. Description It is a distinctive corvid with heavily streaked and spotted plumage. They are usually in length. They have a wing length of , with a weight of for females and 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. Vocalisations Their vocalisations are poorly studied, but are described as being extremely similar to those of the Eurasian nutcracker. Begging juveniles make calls that have been described as "somewhat reminiscent of the squealing of little pigs". Other calls have been described as very variable, although it is not known if they are simply variations of a single call type, or are in fact individual calls. The most common call is a loud and harsh nasal 'kraa', which is usually given doubled or tripled, and repeated in rapidly 6–7 times. It is quite distinctive and may have slower or faster variants. One possible variant is the 'reek', which is a less nasal and harsher call that is given in a different context. They also make a 'reer', which is a slightly overslurred call, more nasal than the other two, but with an uncertain function. They have a whisper song, though