From Opus

Revision as of 05:03, 11 July 2012

Photo by eastwood
Jiuzhaigou, China, June, 2012

Alternative names: White-necklaced Tit; Sooty Bushtit; Silver-faced Tit

Aegithalos fuliginosus

Identification

11.5 cm
In shape a typical long-tailed tit:

• Brownish upperparts
• Clear-cut dark breastband
• Forehead, centre of crown and nape dark brown ,paler and greyer on sides
• Lores, supercilium and cheek frosty pale grey
• Grey-brown moustachial stripe
• Throat pale grey
• White band from neck over upper breast

Similar species

Black-throated Tit has a black chin and a black mask.
Black-browed Tit lacks the dark breastband. It has also a black moustachial stripe and a bold blackish mask.

Distribution

	China. Found in the mountains of central China in south Gansu, parts of Sichuan and east to Shaanxi and Hubei.
	Legend • A. fuliginosus; year-round Maps/Texts consulted1

Taxonomy

Monotypic.
Described subspecis scurrula usually regarded invalid.

Habitat

Mixed forest with firs and well-develped scrub (willows, birches), often extensive bamboo understorey. Found from 1000m up to 2600m.

Behaviour

Feeds on insects and berries. Like other members of the genus found in big flocks outside the breeding season (up to 40 birds). Only very little known about breeding. Feeding young has been recorded in mid-May in Sichuan.
Resident.

References

1. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2008. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 13: Penduline-tits to Shrikes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553453

External Links