Rufous-vented Tit
Periparus rubidiventris
An active and social small bird of broadleaf and mixed forests, usually in hilly regions. Thin, rather turnip-like crest is often held vertically. Gray with a black head marked by bright white cheek patches. May be confused with Coal Tit, but has a less wispy crest, lacks wingbars, and averages darker and more contrasting overall. Gives high thin calls, often heard as a flock whizzes overhead.
Identification
The rufous-vented tit (Periparus rubidiventris) is an Asian songbird species in the tit and chickadee family (Paridae). Some of its subspecies were formerly assigned to its western relative the rufous-naped tit (P. rufonuchalis), or these two were considered entirely conspecific.
Taxonomy
The tit was formerly placed in the genus Parus. The four subspecies are:
- Scientific name
- Periparus rubidiventris
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1847)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
- Genus
- Periparus
Range and habitat
This tit is a native of the western Himalayas, but has a very large range, occurring in parts of Bhutan, China, Pakistan, India, Myanmar and Nepal. Its natural habitats are boreal forests and temperate forests. In Bhutan for example, P. r. beavani is a rather common all-year resident in moist Bhutan fir (Abies densa) forests, between approximately 3,000 and 4,000 meters ASL. Widespread and by no means rare, it is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Pica nuttalli
Large, striking black-and-white bird; related to crows and jays. Unmistakably long tail and bold pattern, especially visible in flight. Look for bright yellow bill and iridescent blue-green on wings and tail. Limited range in California; does not overlap with Black-billed Magpie. Prefers open areas with scattered trees, especially oaks. Often found in pairs or small family groups foraging on the ground.
Giant Kingfisher
Megaceryle maxima
A massive, chunky, black, white, and chestnut kingfisher with a huge dagger-like black bill and a small crest. Sexes differ in the location of chestnut plumage: upper breast on the male, belly and underwings on the female. Pairs patrol freshwater rivers, lakes and swamps, and saltwater estuaries, mangroves and coastlines, hunting for fish, crabs, frogs and invertebrates. Draws attention to itself with raucous harsh and rapidly repeated “kek” and “kakh” calls.
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Glaucis hirsutus
Fairly large hermit with rufous underparts and no elongated central tail feathers. Long decurved bill has a yellow lower mandible. Rounded tail is mostly rufous at the base with a black band and small white tips on each feather. Superficially similar to other hermits, but combination of tail shape and underpart color should be sufficient to identify. The very similar Bronzy Hermit does not overlap in range. An understory species that is fairly shy and most often seen feeding from Heliconia flowers.
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