Titmice and chickadees

(Paridae)

Class Aves

Order Passeriformes

Suborder Passeri (Oscines)

Family Paridae

Thumbnail description
Small, compact, and agile birds with short, stout bills; sexes usually similar in size and plumage, typically brightly colored with contrasting plumage features

Size
3.9–8 in (10–20.5 cm); 0.2–1.7 oz (5–49 g)

Number of genera, species
5 genera; 55–58 species

Habitat
Forest, woodlands, parks, orchards, gardens, and scrub

Conservation status
Vulnerable: 1 species; Near Threatened: 3 species

Distribution
Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and Mexico

Evolution and systematics

The titmice and chickadees are oscine passerines (perching birds). The oscines are divided into two parvorders: Corvida and Passerida. The Passerida are further divided into three superfamilies, including the Sylvioidea, to which tits belong, along with swallows, bulbuls, warblers, and babblers. The titmice and chickadees are usually considered to be a sub-family (Parinae) of the Paridae, the latter also containing the Remizinae, or penduline tits. Genetic evidence suggests that the two groups of tits are closely related, but behavioral differences mean that some authors still treat them as separate families in their own right: the Paridae and Remizidae. The Aegithalidae, or long-tailed tits, are also sometimes included within the Paridae, although genetic comparisons have shown that they are best treated as a distinct family.

The Parinae is divided into five genera: Parus, the largest group, including most of the tits; Poecile, including the 12–15 species of black- and brown-capped tits and chickadees (sometimes treated as a subgenus of Parus); Baeolophus, the five species of American tufted titmice; and two monospecific genera, Sylviparus and Melanochlora. (Although Peters only recognizes four genera: Parus, Baeolophus, Sylviparus, and Melanochlora).

Physical characteristics

Fast-moving, agile and small—this is the classic description of the titmice. With short wings and tail, and short legs with very strong feet, they are well-adapted to their arboreal life-style. There is little variation in size within the family and sexes of the same species are typically similar, although females can be slightly smaller. The smallest of the family is the yellow-browed tit (Sylviparus modestus), while the largest is the sultan tit (Melanochlora sultanea). Throughout the family, the bill is typically short and stout. This appearance is accentuated in some species that also have relatively large heads (e.g., the willow tit [Parus montanus]), which either specialize in feeding on hard seeds or excavate their own nest holes. Within a single species, the bill shape can vary according to the habitats in which individuals live and the types of seeds and nuts available to them. Bill and leg colors, and iris color in most species, are dark and drab, although two of the African species have distinctive pale yellow irises.

Generally, members of the different subgenera share plumage characteristics. The Poecile are typically dark-capped, brown-backed and cream-breasted with white cheeks and varying amounts of rufous on the flanks. The spot-winged tits have characteristic white tips on the wing coverts, which give the spot-winged appearance. The crested tits are represented by two species that both possess head-crests but vary in color patterns. The six species of African black tits are typically all black with striking white wing-coverts and white edges to the flight feathers. The rufous-bellied tits are three closely related species all characterized by having rufous underparts and dark upperparts. The African gray tits are gray in overall coloration ranging from the paler Miombo tit, Parus griseiventris, to the duskier southern gray tit, Parus afer. Like the rufous-bellied tits, the gray tits have well-patterned wings formed from white edging to all of the wing feathers. The great tit, Parus major, and its allies are mostly brightly colored tits. All have black heads with white cheeks and a black vertical breast stripe, though back and breast coloration is highly variable, including

species with gray, green, blue, black, or yellow colors. The three species making up the blue tit group are similar in general shape, but vary dramatically in color from the brightly colored blue tit, Parus caeruleus, to the very pale azure tit, Parus cyanus. The American tufted titmice are mostly drab birds: gray or brown with pale underparts and darker upperparts. The yellow-browed tit is a small, all-green bird with pale-yellowish underparts and a faint yellow eye-ring, lacking the high-contrast plumage features typical of nearly all other tits.

The majority of species, especially those with wide geographical distributions, have many subspecies described and these often differ in plumage coloration to some degree.

Distribution

True tits are absent only from the treeless Arctic zone, South America, the desert regions of Africa and Asia, and Australasia.

Twelve species occur in North America and Mexico; seven Poecile species and all of the Baeolophus species. The black-capped (Poecile atricapilla) and boreal (P. hudsonica) chickadees are the most widespread, occurring from coast to coast across North America through its boreal forests and temperate woodlands. All of the other North American and Mexican species are more restricted in range. For example, the tufted titmice of the genus Baeolophus have largely south and southwestern distributions, many overlapping into Mexico, as does the Mexican chickadee, Poecile sclateri.

Within Europe and temperate Asia, many species have wide distributions across the two continents throughout a variety of forest habitats. However, some species are more specialized in habitat use, such as the Siberian tit, Parus cinctus, which is restricted to the boreal forests (and also ranges into arctic North America) and the somber tit, Parus lugubris, which occurs in the European eastern Mediterranean and across into Iran. Many of the temperate Asiatic species occur in the highlands of central Asia and have relatively restricted distributions. One species with a particularly restricted range is Père David's tit, Parus davidi, which occurs only in mixed forests at 7,000–11,000 ft (2,135–3350 m) in three mountain ranges in central China. In the Far East, some species are restricted to island groups, such as the yellow-tit in Taiwan, and the three Philippine species. Some of the Asian species have ranges that take them into tropical Asia, such as the sultan tit, which occurs from the Himalayas to Indochina, and the black-lored tit, which occurs from the Himalayas to southern India.

While some of the European species also occur in the far northwest of Africa, the truly African species all have sub-Saharan distributions and are endemic. The majority have relatively restricted distributions with only the white-shouldered tit (Parus guineensis) having a cross-continent range from coastal Senegal east to Ethiopia.

Habitat

Those species with wide distributions tend to be more generalist in habitat use, utilizing a wide variety of different woodland

types from conifers to evergreen broad-leaved woodland to deciduous broad-leaved woodland. Open woodlands, parks, hedgerows, gardens, vineyards, orchards, and scrub are also widely used. Some species are conifer-forest specialists, such as the boreal tit and Siberian tit, while others are deciduous-woodland species, like many of the African tits. Some occur in arid forests, such as the somber tit, which is found in dry, open woodlands in southern Europe. Tits are present from lowland woods at sea level up to high-altitude forests and sub-alpine scrub at 14,764 ft (4,500 m) in mountainous areas.

Behavior

All of the tits are extremely agile and acrobatic in the way they move through the canopy, hopping quickly from branch to branch and frequently hanging upside down to pry under bark on the underside of branches. They typically make only short, fast flights, which are either direct or gently undulating depending on the distance covered.

All species are largely resident and sedentary, but a few make regular seasonal altitudinal movements, some are irruptive under certain conditions, and some may be truly partially migratory. Most species live in pairs or small groups, being territorial while breeding, but typically joining mixed-species flocks outside of the breeding period. Some flocks can contain up to 100 individuals of one species, and often include other tit species. Some species are highly aggressive in flocks and chases are common, especially when competing for food provided by man. A variety of threat displays have developed, such as the head-up posture in species with black bibs or crest-raising in the crested species.

Song development is generally poor throughout the family and song displays are rare, but most species have a wide variety of calls that are often loud and given frequently, such as the chick-a-dee call given by many of the black- and brown-capped species.

Feeding ecology and diet

Tits are arboreal species, foraging predominantly in the canopies of trees and scrub, and in the shrub layer. However, for some species, ground-foraging is also important. All tits eat a wide variety of invertebrates. Many also eat seeds, nuts, and fruit, especially outside of the breeding season, and some will take nectar. Food storage is a very important behavior for many of the northern species of black- and brown-capped, spot-winged, crested, and American tufted tits; both insects and seeds are stored. Some species may remember precise locations of stores while others store food in a scattered way and relocate it by chance. Some species are able to enter a state of regulated hypothermia overnight to conserve energy.

Reproductive biology

All of the tits nest in cavities, mostly in trees, but also between rocks, in walls, on raised ground, and even in pipes. Many species excavate their own nests in rotting wood, while others use natural holes or those made by other species such as woodpeckers. Many will take readily to nesting in nest-boxes specially created for them by man, although some require saw-dust filling so that they can still perform excavation behavior. Cavities are lined with various soft nesting materials. Most species nest between March and July, but Southern Hemisphere African tits may nest year-round or

seasonally. Clutch size varies between the different subgenera, but most have four to 10 eggs. The African species have relatively small clutches of three to six eggs, while the blue and great tits have the largest clutches with up to 13 eggs. Eggs are typically white, or blushed pink, with some red-brown spotting at the larger end. Incubation periods are generally around 14 days, while the brood period is between 14 and 24 days. The young become independent very quickly in most species, dispersing after just two to three weeks. Some species, like the coal, great, and blue tits, regularly have two broods per year. Breeding success is highly variable, but has been good in many studies. However, all species are vulnerable to nest loss from specialist predators like squirrels, woodpeckers, and snakes.

Conservation status

The majority of tits are common with wide continental distributions. However, the white-naped tit is listed as Vulnerable under IUCN criteria. Endemic to India, it occurs in small, fragmented populations in tropical, dry, thorn-scrub habitat and dry deciduous forests. Three other species, all restricted to small island groups, are listed as Near Threatened: the Palawan tit, Parus amabilis, which is restricted to primary forests on three islands in the Philippines; the white-fronted tit, which occurs on two islands in the Philippines; and the yellow tit, which is found in broad-leaved forest in the central mountain regions of Taiwan.

Significance to humans

With the possible exception of the yellow tit, the tits are of no known economic significance, but are of contemporary cultural importance in some areas due to the close relationship with humans shown by many species. Also, many species readily visit gardens to take foods provided for them, and will also readily use nest-boxes.

Species accounts

List of Species

Sombre tit

Parus lugubris

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus lugubris Temminck, 1820. Five subspecies.

other common names

French: Mésange lugubre; German: Trauermeise; Spanish: Carbonero Lúgubre.

physical characteristics

5.5 in (14 cm); 0.5–0.7 oz (15–19 g); general plumage color typical of the 'black-capped' tits; sexes similar.

distribution

P. l. lugubris: Balkans and Greece; P. l. anatoliae: Greek island of Lesbos, Asia Minor, southern Transcaucasia, Levant and northern Iraq. P. l. hyrcanus: southeast Transcaucasia and northern Iran; P. l. dubius: southwest Iran and northeast Iraq;P. l. kirmanensis: southern Iran.

habitat

Open broadleaf and conifer woodlands, parkland, orchards, gardens, vineyards, and scrub habitats at higher elevations including olive (Olea) groves.

behavior

Resident and largely sedentary. Seasonally territorial with members of pair remaining together throughout year, but may join mixed-species flocks. Song bouts short and infrequent.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages throughout crowns of trees and shrubs, and on ground. Diet is large range of invertebrates and some seeds. Unlike many other tits, does not store food.

reproductive biology

Nests in cavities in trees or occasionally rocks; uses nest-boxes. Most subspecies use existing cavities, but P. l. hyrcanus excavates own nest cavity (both sexes taking part). Eggs laid March through April, with second clutches May through June. Clutch size five to 10 eggs (average is seven). Incubation: 12–14 days, by female alone. Brood period to fledging: 21–23 days.

conservation status

Not threatened. Has a relatively restricted range and occurs at low breeding densities, but population size in European part of range estimated to be 130,000–640,000 pairs, about 75% of world population.

significance to humans

None known.

Black-capped chickadee

Poecile atricapilla

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus atricapillus Linnaeus, 1766. Nine subspecies.

other common names

English: Black-capped tit; French: Mésange à tête noire; German: Schwarzkopfmeise; Spanish: Carbonero de Capucha Negra.

physical characteristics

4.8–5.7 in (12.3–14.6 cm); 0.3–0.5 oz (10–14 g); plumage characteristic of the 'black-capped' tits; sexes similar.

distribution

P. a. atricapillus: northeastern United States and eastern Canada;P. a. practicus: Appalachian mountains in eastern United States;P. a. bartletti: Newfoundland; P. a. turneri: Alaska and northwestern Canada; P. a. septentrionalis: mid-continental North America; P. a. occidentalis: western coast of United States; P. a. fortuitus: western United States to east of Cascade Mountains;P. a. nevadensis: Great Basin area of United States; P. a. garrinus: Rocky Mountains of United States.

habitat

Prefers deciduous or mixed woodland, including open habitats such as parks and gardens, and willow and cottonwood thickets. Frequently associated with birch (Betula) and alder (Alnus).

behavior

Typically resident and territorial, but in mountain areas may show seasonal movements to lower elevations. Forms mixed-species flocks outside of breeding periods with distinct dominance-hierarchies. Has a variety of calls, including the familiar loud chick-a-dee.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages throughout tree canopy and especially on bark in winter. Rarely forages on the ground. Diet comprises a wide range of invertebrates as well as fruits and seeds. Like many other tits, stores food in autumn for use in the winter. Can save energy overnight by regulated hypothermia, lowering body temperature by up to 53.6°F (12°C).

reproductive biology

Nests in cavities in trees, excavating own hole (both sexes) or using natural holes, and will use nest-boxes that are partly filled with sawdust. Lays eggs mid-April to late May, usually a single clutch of six to eight eggs (maximum 13). Female incubates for 12–13 days and broods for 12–16 days. Young birds disperse from parents' territory after three to four weeks and form flocks with unrelated adults or become floaters.

conservation status

Not threatened. A common and very widespread species, with a typical density of 0.6 pairs/acre (0.25 pairs/ha).

significance to humans

None known.

Siberian tit

Parus cinctus

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus cinctus Boddaert, 1783. Four subspecies.

other common names

English: Gray-headed chickadee, Taiga tit; French: Mésange lapone; German: Lapplandmeise; Spanish: Carbonero Lapón.

physical characteristics

5.3 in (13.5 cm); 0.4–0.6 oz (11–16 g), males larger than females; general plumage color typical of the 'brown-capped' tits; sexes similar.

distribution

Unique within the Paridae as it occurs in both the Old and New Worlds. P. c. lapponicus: Fenno-Scandia east to northern European Russia; P. c. cinctus: Siberia from Urals east to Bering Sea, and south to Lake Baykal, northeast Mongolia and northeast China; P. c. sayanus: central Asia; P. c. lathami: Alaska and northwest Canada.

habitat

Boreal conifer forests and broadleaf woodland within these forests, the latter more so in winter.

behavior

Largely sedentary, although some populations nomadic during winter months. Adults territorial, but readily forms mixed-species flocks outside of breeding season, often associated with willow tit, Parus montanus. Song simple and infrequent, not given in display.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages predominantly amongst leaves of trees, but explores all parts of tree and frequently forages on the ground. Diet is a variety of invertebrates and seeds; food stored throughout the year at ends of twigs, in cracks in bark and among lichens. Estimated that each bird may store up to 7 lb (15 kg) of food per year, but needs only 15% of this to survive over the winter period.

reproductive biology

Nests in cavities in trees. Single clutch of six to 10 eggs laid May through June. Incubation: 15–18 days by female only. Brood period to fledging is 19–20 days.

conservation status

A common, widespread species. The total European population estimated to be 170,000–1,200,000 pairs, but this represents only a small proportion of total world population. Range in northwest Europe has receded northward in twentieth century due to changes in forestry practice, loss of habitat, and possibly climate warming.

significance to humans

None known.

Bridled titmouse

Baeolophus wollweberi

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus wollweberi Bonaparte, 1850. Four subspecies.

other common names

French: Mésange arlequin; German: Zügelmeise; Spanish: Herrerillo Enmascarado.

physical characteristics

4 in (10 cm); 0.3–0.4 oz (8–12 g). Head with striking black and white pattern, and with gray crown edged black, forming crest; sexes similar.

distribution

B. w. vandevenderi: central Arizona to southwest New Mexico, United States; B. w. phillipsi: southeastern Arizona to Sonora, Mexico; B. w. wollweberi: Mexico; B. w. caliginosus: southwestern Mexico.

habitat

Mid- to high-elevation woodlands of oak and pine, often mixed with juniper. At lower elevations, savanna-like oak woodlands are occupied, as are open grassland areas with scattered deciduous trees and juniper.

behavior

Territorial in the breeding season, but in winter joins mixed-species flocks occupying a home range. Birds at higher elevations may move to lower areas in winter. Song is simple, but is given frequently during breeding period.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages throughout tree canopy at all times, and also frequently on ground in winter. Diet is mainly insects, but will eat pulp of acorns and in some habitats spiders become an important food. Not known to store food.

reproductive biology

A hole-nesting species, but does not excavate own cavity. Eggs are laid April to June and second clutches are laid only if first is lost. Clutch size is typically five to seven eggs. Females incubate 13–14 days followed by 18–20 days till fledging. In North America, the bridled titmouse is the only tit species to have a helper breeding system.

conservation status

A species with a restricted range, but common within this range, reaching densities of 7.7–10.3 birds/25 acres (10 ha) in summer. Loss and fragmentation of oak woodlands due to conversion to arable land known to have caused decline in central Mexico.

significance to humans

None known.

Yellow-bellied tit

Parus venustulus

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus venustulus Swinhoe, 1870. Monotypic.

other common names

French: Mésange gracieuse; German: Schmuckmeise; Spanish: Carbonero de Vientre Amarillo.

physical characteristics

4 in (10 cm); 0.3–0.45 oz (9–12.5 g); plumage like that of the 'spot-winged' tits, with yellow breast and gray-blue mantle; sexually dichromatic.

distribution

Endemic to central and eastern China.

habitat

A wide range of forest and woodland types, predominantly in mountainous areas, and around human habitation and cultivated land where trees are present.

behavior

Typically resident, but known to be migratory in parts of range. Little known about territoriality, but does join mixed-species flocks outside of the breeding season. Song is simple.

feeding ecology and diet

Little known about foraging behavior, but diet largely invertebrates with some fruits taken. Makes stores of food.

reproductive biology

Nests in natural cavities, but does not excavate own hole. Eggs laid between May and June and clutch size is five to seven eggs. The incubation period is 12 days and the young fledge 16–17 days after hatching.

conservation status

Not threatened. With the exception of the great tit, this is probably the most widespread of all the southern Asiatic species.

significance to humans

None known.

Rufous-bellied tit

Parus rufiventris

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus rufiventris Barboza du Bocage, 1877. Three subspecies.

other common names

English: Cinnamon-breasted tit; rufous tit; French: Mésange à ventre cannelle; German: Rostbauchmeise; Spanish: Herrerillo de Vientre Rufo.

physical characteristics

6 in (15 cm); an attractive species with a black head, dark gray upperparts and breast, black tail, and rufous belly. The iris is a distinctive yellow in the adults; sexes similar.

distribution

P. r. rufiventris: western and central Africa (Angola, Zaïre, Zambia); P. r. maskukuensis: central Africa (Zambia and Malawi); P. r. diligens: western Africa (Namibia and Angola).

habitat

Main habitat is miombo woodland, which is moist savanna-woodland of Brachystegia. Also found in other woodlands similar to miombo woodland, dry evergreen forests and drier

savanna-woodlands. Typically found from 1,969–6,562 ft (600–2,000 m).

behavior

Resident. May hold territories during breeding season, but recorded in mixed-species flocks in winter. As with most tits, the song is simple, but a variety of calls are used.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages mainly among twigs and leaves on the outer-most parts of trees in the mid and upper canopy. Diet is invertebrates, especially moth larvae.

reproductive biology

Poorly known. Nests in holes in trees or stumps, but does not excavate own hole. Breeding season September to November. Clutch size is three or four eggs. Nothing is known of incubation or brood period. May have a cooperative breeding system.

conservation status

Not threatened. A widespread species considered common throughout most of range, although probably rarer in southern areas of range.

significance to humans

None known.

Great tit

Parus major

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus major Linnaeus, 1758. Up to 31 subspecies recognized.

other common names

French: Mésange charbonnière; German: Kohlmeise; Spanish: Carbonero Común.

physical characteristics

5.5 in (14 cm); 0.5–0.8 oz (14–22 g), males typically slightly larger than female; very variable species with plumage characterized by black crown, throat, and vertical breast stripe; white cheeks; green back; blue wings, rump, and tail; and yellow breast.

distribution

The great tit is possibly the most widespread of all the parids; up to 31 subspecies have been identified across Eurasia and into Southeast Asia and northern China.

habitat

Occurs in a very wide range of different woodland types, but generally favors lowland broad-leaved woodlands, especially those with good shrub growth. Dislikes pure conifer forests. Also found in open woodland habitats, including parks, gardens, cemeteries, and hedges.

behavior

Resident throughout much of its range, but shows seasonal altitudinal migration in some mountain areas and local migration in others. Irruptive movements can occur in years with good breeding success and/or poor beech Fagus mast crop. Occasionally territorial throughout year, but may join hierarchically-organized, mixed-species flocks outside of breeding season. Song frequent, simple, and variable, with each male having several repertoires.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages on all parts of trees and shrubs, but shows preference for foraging among leaves. However, foraging behavior highly adaptable and shows remarkable learning ability, including the use of tools (pine needles used to extract insects from holes). Does not store food. Diet comprises an extremely wide variety of invertebrates, seeds, nuts, and fruits.

reproductive biology

Nests in pre-existing tree-cavities, walls, burrows, and nest-boxes. Egg-laying starts in February in southern populations and as late as May in the north. Frequently lays two clutches per year, rarely three. Clutch size highly variable: three to 18 eggs laid. Incubation is by female alone and takes 12–15 days, fledging in 16–22 days.

conservation status

A very common species, but some subspecies may have relatively small populations. In Europe alone, the estimated population is between 41 and 180 million pairs.

significance to humans

No commercial significance, but of contemporary cultural significance in some areas, especially Europe, where closely associated with humans.

White-naped tit

Parus nuchalis

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Parus nuchalis Jerdon, 1845. Monotypic.

other common names

English: White-winged tit, white-naped black tit, collared tit; French: Mésange à ailes blanches; German: Weissflügelmeise; Spanish: Carbonero de Nuca Blanca.

physical characteristics

4.75 in (12 cm); 0.45–0.5 oz (13–14.5 g); contrasting patterns of black and white throughout except for pale yellow under-parts.

distribution

Endemic to India with small, fragmented populations in the northwest and south of the country.

habitat

Occurs in lowland dry thorn-scrub forests in northwest India up to 1,969 ft (600 m), as well as dry to moist deciduous woodlands in south India. Also found in gardens, along stream-beds and around irrigated croplands.

behavior

Resident, but makes local movements. Little known about territoriality, but will join mixed-species flocks. Song is a repeated monosyllabic call, but a variety of other calls are made.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages throughout the canopy and shrub layer, with diet comprising insects and spiders.

reproductive biology

Poorly known. Nests in tree cavities, typically those made by woodpeckers. Clutch size, incubation, and brooding behavior not known. Timing of breeding is during the monsoons: May-August.

conservation status

Vulnerable. The population is highly fragmented and declining, and is estimated to be 2,500–10,000 pairs. Most serious threat is continued degradation, loss, and fragmentation of thorn forest habitat.

significance to humans

None known.

Sultan tit

Melanochlora sultanea

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Melanochlora sultanea Hodgson, 1837. Four subspecies.

other common names

French: Mésange sultane; German: Sultanmeise; Spanish: Carbonero Sultán.

physical characteristics

8 in (20.5 cm); 1.2–1.7 oz (34–49 g); the largest of the tits, with striking yellow and glossy black plumage in males; duller in females.

distribution

M. s. sultanea: eastern Himalayas, northeastern India, Myanmar, northern Thailand; M. s. flavocristata: southern Myanmar, Malaysia, Sumatra; M. s. seorsa: southern China, Hainan, northern Indochina; M. s. gayeti: central Vietnam, southern Laos.

habitat

Wide variety of forest types, preferring light evergreen forests and forest edges. Found mainly below 3,200 ft (1,000 m), but recorded in mountainous areas up to 6,600 ft (2,000 m).

behavior

Resident. During breeding, found in pairs and probably territorial. Outside of breeding season, forms small flocks, often mixing with other species. Song is series of loud, clear whistles, and a variety of other calls are also given.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages mostly in upper canopy, but in some habitats (e.g., bamboo) will forage close to ground. Foods include invertebrates, fruits and seeds.

reproductive biology

Poorly known. Nests in holes and other openings in trees. Timing of nesting April through July and clutch size five to seven eggs. No information about incubation, brooding behavior, or breeding success.

conservation status

Not threatened. A relatively widespread species. Has declined in western part of range due to habitat loss, and is now rare.

significance to humans

None known.

Yellow-browed tit

Sylviparus modestus

subfamily

Parinae

taxonomy

Sylviparus modestus Burton, 1836. Three subspecies.

other common names

French: Mésange modeste; German: Laubmeise; Spanish: Carbonero de Cejas Amarillas.

physical characteristics

4 in (10 cm); 0.2–0.3 oz (5–9 g); small greenish bird with a short bill, pale yellow eye ring and short crest; sexes similar.

distribution

S. m. simlaensis: northwestern Himalayas; S. m. modestus: central and eastern Himalayas, Myanmar, southwestern China, northern Thailand, northern Laos, northern Vietnam; S. m. klossi: southern Vietnam.

habitat

Inhabits alpine scrub and forest, occurring principally from 3,900–11,150 ft (1,200–3,400 m), but down to 1,475 ft (450 m)

in parts of range. Very localized distribution outside of the Himalayas, including coniferous forests in China.

behavior

Resident, but undertakes seasonal altitudinal movements, generally moving to lower elevations outside of the breeding season. Territoriality not understood, but joins mixed-species flocks outside of the breeding season like most other tits. Has a wide variety of calls.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages throughout the canopy and occasionally in scrub beneath the tree canopy. Described as both acrobatic and restless while foraging. Diet mainly invertebrates, but also takes some seeds.

reproductive biology

Poorly understood. Nests in natural cavities in trees. Breeds April through May. Clutch size four to six eggs, but no information on incubation and nestling periods.

conservation status

Not threatened. A common species, but with fragmented and highly localized distribution outside of the Himalayas.

significance to humans

None known.

Resources

Books

Cicero, C. "Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) and Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi)." In The Birds of North America. No. 485, edited by A. Poole and F. Gill. Philadelphia: The Birds of North America, Inc., 2000.

Cramp, S., and C. M. Perrins, eds. The Birds of the Western Palearctic. Vol. VII. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Ficken, M., and J. Nocedal. "Mexican Chickadee." In The Birds of North America, No. 8, edited by A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, and F. Gill. Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union, 1992.

Ficken, M., M. A. McLaren, and J. P. Hailman. "Boreal Chickadee (Parus hudsonicus)." In The Birds of North America, No. 254, edited by A. Poole and F. Gill. Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union, 1996.

Hailman, J. P., and S. Haftorn. "Siberian Tit (Parus cinctus)." In The Birds of North America, No. 196, edited by A. Poole and F. Gill. Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, DC: The American Ornithologists' Union, 1995.

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Helen Baker, PhD