Alternative names: Red-headed Tit; Black-throated Bushtit
- Aegithalos concinnus
Identification
10cm.
A widespread and common long-tailed tit with marked geographical variation.
Iredalai-group:
- Rufous crown
- Black throat-patch below white chin
- Small whitish supercilium
- Cool grey above
- Whitish below with rufescent flanks
- Pale yellow iris
Annamensis-group:
- Crown grey
- No whitish supercilium, generally less white on head
- Greyish-white below
Concinnus-group:
- Chestnut flanks
- Chestnut lower breast band
- Whitish central belly
- pulchellus with grey crown, others with rufous crown
The sexes are similar, juveniles have paler caps.
Distribution
Found from northern Pakistan east along the Himalayas to India, Nepal, Bhutan and northeast India. Also in northwest Burma, northwest Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and much of southern China, including Hainan and in Taiwan. | |
Legend • iredalai-group; year-round |
Taxonomy
Marked geographical variation. This species may represent an unresolved species swarm, further study is needed.
Six subspecies are recognized, forming three groups:
- iredalai-group:
- annamensis-group:
- nominate-group:
Habitat
Broadleaved and mixed forest up to 1400m.
Behaviour
The diet includes insects and spiders.
Its nest is suspended from a branch and is made from lichen and moss.
Vocalisation
Psip-psip notes and a chrr-chrr, trr-trr.
References
- 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
- Rasmussen, PC and JC Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334672