Alternative names: Crested Parrotbill; Dusky Parrotbill; Zappey's Parrotbill; Dusky Crowtit
- Sinosuthora zappeyi
Paradoxornis zappeyi
Identification
12.5cm (5 in). A distinctive parrotbill:
- Bushy grey crest
- Mouse-grey forehead to uppermost mantle
- Dark grey lores and region above eye, head side paler grey
- White eye-ring
- Slightly rufescent mid-brown upperparts
- Dark greyish to dark brownish flight feathers
- Dark greyish to dark brownish-grey tail
- Whitish throat
- Pale grey underparts, warm buffy flanks and undertail-coverts
Sexes similar. Juveniles undescribed.
Distribution
Endemic to south-central China (Sichuan and Guizhou).
Locally common but with a very restricted range. So far recorded at only nine places, eg. Wawu Shan and Emei Shan.
Taxonomy
This species was formerly placed in the genus Paradoxornis.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized:
- S. z. erlangshancius in Erlang Shan, south-central Sichuan
- S. z. zappeyi in south-central Sichuan (excluding Erlang Shan) and northwest Guizhou
Subspecies erlangshancius is not recognised by some authorities[1], [2].
Habitat
Bushes and bamboo in open mountain-top conifer forest. Occurs at 2350 - 3437m.
Behaviour
Resident species. Some minor altitudinal movements are likely.
Diet
Feeds on insects, takes also seeds.
Usually seen foraging in low vegetation in groups of up to 10 birds.
Breeding
Breeding season from May to June. The nest is a large, very deep cup-shaped structure made of moss. One was woven around bamboo stems. Lays 2 - 4 eggs.
Vocalisation
A flock of birds
Recording by china guy, August 2011
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/
- Avibase
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553422
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Grey-hooded Parrotbill. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 February 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Grey-hooded_Parrotbill