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| − | + | '''Alternative names: Miombo Grey Tit; Northern Grey Tit; Tabora Grey Tit''' | |
;[[:Category:Melaniparus|Melaniparus]] griseiventris | ;[[:Category:Melaniparus|Melaniparus]] griseiventris | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | 14-15 cm. A large, black, white and grey tit. | ||
| + | * Black cap only faintly glossy | ||
| + | * Small or absent nuchal spot | ||
| + | * Dingy grey-white cheek patch | ||
| + | * Sooty-blackish bib and ventral line | ||
| + | * Light grey flanks, off-white rest of underparts washed greyish-buff | ||
| + | * Grey mantle | ||
| + | * Extensive white in wings | ||
| + | Females and juveniles are slightly duller, lack the ventral line and have a smaller bib. | ||
| + | ====Similar species==== | ||
| + | Larger than very similar [[Somali Tit]] which also has black on neck side (connecting crown and bib). Has a smaller bill than [[Ashy Tit]], a duller cap, a paler grey plumage and whiter underparts. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[ | + | Found in [[Angola]], southern and southeast [[DR Congo]] and from western [[Tanzania]] south to [[Zambia]], [[Zimbabwe]] and northwest [[Mozambique]].<br /> |
| + | Locally common in suitable habitat. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species.<br /> | ||
| + | The described subspecies ''lundarum'' and ''parvirostris'' are usually not accepted.<br /> | ||
| + | Has been treated conspecific with [[Ashy Tit]] and forms a superspecies with the later and [[Somali Tit]] and [[Grey Tit]].<br /> | ||
Formerly placed in genus ''[[:Category:Parus|Parus]]''. | Formerly placed in genus ''[[:Category:Parus|Parus]]''. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Found in miombo woodland, occasionally in mavunda forest or other woodland types.<br /> | |
| + | Occurs at 915 to 1950 m.<br /> | ||
| + | Co-exists with [[Rufous-bellied Tit]], however the two species obviously occupy different niches. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | + | ====Diet==== | |
| + | Poorly known, feeds probably on small invertebrates and larvae.<br /> | ||
| + | Recorded foraging in pairs or in small groups, often in mixed-species flocks including [[Ashy Tit]] where ranges overlap.<br /> | ||
| + | Forages in upper level and canopy of forest. | ||
| + | ====Breeding==== | ||
| + | Breeding season from August to December. The nest is a large, soft pad or cup made of plant fibres, feathers and animal hair. It's placed in a hole in a tree or in a wall, a termite hill or a hole in the ground. Lays 3 to 5 eggs, usually two fledglings succed. Sometimes parasitised by [[Lesser Honeyguide]]. | ||
| + | ====Movements==== | ||
| + | This is a resident species. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved July 2014) | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Melaniparus+griseiventris}} | {{GSearch|Melaniparus+griseiventris}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Melaniparus]] [[Category:Missing Images]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Melaniparus]] [[Category:Missing Images]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:44, 14 July 2014
Alternative names: Miombo Grey Tit; Northern Grey Tit; Tabora Grey Tit
- Melaniparus griseiventris
Identification
14-15 cm. A large, black, white and grey tit.
- Black cap only faintly glossy
- Small or absent nuchal spot
- Dingy grey-white cheek patch
- Sooty-blackish bib and ventral line
- Light grey flanks, off-white rest of underparts washed greyish-buff
- Grey mantle
- Extensive white in wings
Females and juveniles are slightly duller, lack the ventral line and have a smaller bib.
Similar species
Larger than very similar Somali Tit which also has black on neck side (connecting crown and bib). Has a smaller bill than Ashy Tit, a duller cap, a paler grey plumage and whiter underparts.
Distribution
Found in Angola, southern and southeast DR Congo and from western Tanzania south to Zambia, Zimbabwe and northwest Mozambique.
Locally common in suitable habitat.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
The described subspecies lundarum and parvirostris are usually not accepted.
Has been treated conspecific with Ashy Tit and forms a superspecies with the later and Somali Tit and Grey Tit.
Formerly placed in genus Parus.
Habitat
Found in miombo woodland, occasionally in mavunda forest or other woodland types.
Occurs at 915 to 1950 m.
Co-exists with Rufous-bellied Tit, however the two species obviously occupy different niches.
Behaviour
Diet
Poorly known, feeds probably on small invertebrates and larvae.
Recorded foraging in pairs or in small groups, often in mixed-species flocks including Ashy Tit where ranges overlap.
Forages in upper level and canopy of forest.
Breeding
Breeding season from August to December. The nest is a large, soft pad or cup made of plant fibres, feathers and animal hair. It's placed in a hole in a tree or in a wall, a termite hill or a hole in the ground. Lays 3 to 5 eggs, usually two fledglings succed. Sometimes parasitised by Lesser Honeyguide.
Movements
This is a resident species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved July 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Miombo Tit. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 25 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Miombo_Tit
