Alternative name: White-winged Tit
- Melaniparus leucomelas
Identification
Length 15-16 cm. Black with a white shoulder and black-and-white flight feathers.
The eyes are dark (White-shouldered Black Tit has yellow eyes), and the shoulder patch is solid white (Carp's Tit and Southern Black Tit have shoulder patches with black-and-white stripes).
Distribution
Central Africa, from Angola in the west to Ethiopia.
Taxonomy
Clements[1] accepts two subspecies:
Some authorities treat this species conspecific with White-shouldered Tit.
Formerly placed in genus Parus.
Habitat
Woodland, including both acacia and broadleafed woodlands; not found in true forest.
Behaviour
Usually in pairs or small groups; joins mixed-species feeding parties.
Vocalisation
A chee-er chee-er whistle and harsh churrs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2010. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2010. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/Clements%206.5.xls/view
- Sinclair, I and P Ryan. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0691118154
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) White-winged Black Tit. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-winged_Black_Tit
