African Blue Tit
Cyanistes teneriffae
Found in North Africa and the Canary Islands in woodlands and gardens. More intense indigo-blue on the back and crown than Eurasian Blue Tit without green tones and with a narrower pale eyestripe. Some subspecies lack the white wingbar. Varied repertoire of calls and extensive song variation between island subspecies.
Identification
The African blue tit ranges from 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in) in size. It is a small, sharp-billed, compact tit. The nominate race has a forehead and supercilium to centre of nape white, crown deep glossy blue, becoming blackish on the neck, with a blue dorsal and yellow ventral body. The song is a variable repetition of one or two notes.
Taxonomy
This species and the Eurasian blue tit were formerly considered conspecific.<p>Subspecies are:<p>Research published in 2007 found that African blue tits on the eastern Canary Islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are indistinguishable from those in North Africa and so the subspecies degener should be regarded as a synonym of ultramarinus.
- Scientific name
- Cyanistes teneriffae
- Authority
- (Lesson, RP, 1831)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
- Genus
- Cyanistes
Range and habitat
The African blue tit prefers temperate forests, both low and high lying. Lowlands area preferred on Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, but populations on Tenerife and Gran Canaria prefer montane forests.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Yellow-browed Shrike-Vireo
Vireolanius eximius
This striking vireo is found in the canopy of lowland forest in northern Colombia and western Venezuela. The lime green upperparts contrast with a bright yellow eyebrow and throat, fading to paler yellow on the belly. Note the blue crown and thick bill with slight hook at the tip typical of vireos. No other species are bright green with such a hefty bill. Look for singles or pairs moving slowly in the trees, sometimes with a mixed-species flock. Sings a song with a few descending whistled notes.
Swallow-tailed Kite
Elanoides forficatus
A graceful, uniquely shaped raptor with long, narrow wings and deeply forked tail. Black-and-white with shining blue-gray upperwing. Usually seen in flight as it soars and glides while twisting its tail. Wingbeats are deep, fluid flaps. Found over a variety of wooded habitats with a preference for wetter habitats around rivers and ponds. Feeds mainly on insects captured on the wing.
Rennell Fantail
Rhipidura rennelliana
Mostly mouse-brown with a slightly paler throat and a russet wingbar. Long tail, often fanned, has pale fringes. Avoids open areas, staying mostly in primary forest. The only fantail on Rennell. Common call is a high-pitched upslurred rasp.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.