- Poecile lugubris
Identification
Black crown and long black bib, white triangular area on the cheeks.
Distribution
Southeast Europe and southwest Asia.
Taxonomy
Traditionally placed in Parus, mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data suggests that that genus should be split, als already adopted by the American Ornithologists' Union for example. This species is part of the chickadee group which would 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 and probably the White-fronted Tit (which were sometimes separated in Sittiparus), and possibly the White-browed Tit and Caspian Tits.
Habitat
Scattered bushes, especially on rocky hillsides.