Pere David's Tit

Poecile davidi

Like a Marsh Tit with a bright orange belly, this lively social bird is restricted to the mid-altitude mixed forests of central China. Usually moves about at middle levels in pairs or small flocks. Generally uncommon throughout its limited range, but once seen, can be tame and confiding. Vocalizations typical of small Poecile tits: various high chips, “tzit”s, and “chit-it-it” or “chit-zee-zee” calls.

Identification

Like a Marsh Tit with a bright orange belly, this lively social bird is restricted to the mid-altitude mixed forests of central China. Usually moves about at middle levels in pairs or small flocks. Generally uncommon throughout its limited range, but once seen, can be tame and confiding. Vocalizations typical of small Poecile tits: various high chips, “tzit”s, and “chit-it-it” or “chit-zee-zee” calls.

Taxonomy

Genus: Poecile; Family: Paridae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Poecile davidi
Authority
Berezowski & Bianchi, 1891
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paridae
Genus
Poecile

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Pale Batis

Pale Batis

Batis soror

A typical black, white, and gray batis. Note the chest band, which is black in males and rufous in females. Females also have a pale rufous patch at the center of their otherwise white throat. Found in miombo broadleaf woodland and coastal forest, often in pairs. Similar to Chinspot Batis but paler overall, and the black breast band of the male is narrower. Also paler overall than Eastern Black-headed Batis. The variable song is usually a fast series of identical high-pitched whistled notes. 

Hook-billed Kite

Hook-billed Kite

Chondrohierax uncinatus

Widespread raptor of tropical America, occasionally reaching as far north as southern Texas. It can be identified in all plumages by its fiercely hooked bill and yellow or orange spots on face and bill. In flight, note the blunt, bulbous wings, strongly barred flight feathers, and broad tail bands. Male is mostly gray with faint white or tan barring on the underparts. Female has a brown collar and brown and white barred underparts; the pattern and color vary somewhat throughout its range. Juvenile is mostly white below with very sparse barring. Common call is a quick, shrill cackle. Inhabits both dry and humid forest at all but the highest elevations, and often seen soaring with other raptors or vultures.

Olive Thrush

Olive Thrush

Turdus olivaceus

A typical thrush with olive-brown upperparts and rufous underparts. Its taxonomic status remains under review, and it is most easily identified by range. In the north it is primarily a species of montane forest and forest edge, but farther south it occurs in gardens, woodland, plantations, and heath. It has a varied song, and often reveals its presence with typical thrush “chk-chk” or thin “tseeep” calls. An understory specialist that sometimes skulks, but at other times can be quite bold. Most similar thrushes do not overlap geographically. One that does is the Karoo Thrush, which differs from Olive Thrush in its gray (not rufous) flanks; its yellow-orange (not brown) eye-ring; its yellow (not dark brown) base to the upper mandible of the bill; and its less streaky throat.

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