- Poecile hyrcanus
Identification
- Brown upperparts
- Pink-brown underparts, becoming greyer with age
- Dark brown cap and bib
Sexes similar
Juveniles duller
Distribution
Endemic to northern Iran (Alborz) and adjacent Azerbaijan
Taxonomy
Traditionally placed in Parus, mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data suggests that that genus should be split, as already adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union for example. This species is part of the chickadee group which then make up the genus Poecile. In Poecile, this species forms part of a group of apparently rather basal species, the relationships of which are ill-definied. They also include the Varied Tit and probably the White-fronted Tit (which were sometimes separated in Sittiparus), and possibly the White-browed Tit.
Formerly treated conspecific with Sombre Tit.
This is a monotypic species. The subspecies kirmanensis of Sombre Tit has formerly be assigned to this species.
Habitat
Deciduous mountain forests.
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests in holes in decayed trees, lined with fur, wood chips, or hair. The clutch consists of 5-7 red-spotted white eggs.
Diet
The diet inclues seeds, insects and caterpillars.
Vocalisation
Call: zsit, and chev chev.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2013. IOC World Bird Names (version 3.5). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Caspian Tit. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 15 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Caspian_Tit
