Azure Tit
Cyanistes cyanus
Frosty, pale bundle of joy. Nominate northern population is white with a shadowy black outlining of the cheek, bright blue-and-white striped wings, and a clean white breast. Central Asian and Central Chinese birds have a bright yellow patch on the breast. Prefers open wooded or shrubby areas, often in proximity to willow, birch, and various conifers. More common in open habitats in northern range. Forages actively, often within dense foliage, and can be surprisingly difficult to see well. Gives various high-pitched calls, including chips, trills, and rattles. Song is variable, and includes high whistles followed by a rattling stutter, as well as a series of cheery, repetitive two-note calls.
Taxonomy
For many years the azure tit was known as Parus cyanus. In 2005, analysis of the mtDNA cytochrome b sequences of the Paridae indicated that Cyanistes was an early offshoot from the lineage of other tits, and more accurately regarded as a genus rather than a subgenus of Parus.<p>The azure tit not infrequently hybridizes with the blue tit in western Russia; the resulting birds are called Pleske's tit (Cyanistes × pleskei) and were once considered a distinct species.<p>The population in central Asia, yellow-breasted tit (C. c. flavipectus or Parus flavipectus), is sometimes included as a subspecies of the azure tit.
- Scientific name
- Cyanistes cyanus
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1770)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
- Genus
- Cyanistes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black Francolin
Francolinus francolinus
Strikingly patterned male is unmistakable with his jet-black face and breast, white cheek patch, dark rust-brown collar, and bright white spots. Brownish female has a small orange nape patch, pale throat, and dense black-and-white markings all over the body; compare with larger Gray Francolin. Occurs in dry grasslands, agricultural land, and weedy fields. Shier than other francolins; more often heard than seen. Usually solitary or in pairs. Male call is a peculiar, metallic-sounding “keek, keek, kek-ke-kek.” Native to Asia, from Turkey east to far eastern India and northern Myanmar; introduced to Hawaii.
Chestnut-throated Seedeater
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Fairly common in desert lowlands, favoring agricultural fields, weedy and grassy areas, and brushy hedgerows; often sings from prominent perches such as utility wires. Note small size but with a very stout, stubby bill. Male plumage variable; clean whitish and slate-gray overall with dark rusty chin in full breeding plumage, but often messy and mottled. Female is drab pale buffy with a streaked back; note her big, stubby pinkish bill.
Purple-backed Sunbeam
Aglaeactis aliciae
Blotchy hummingbird restricted to a tiny, remote area in the Andes of northern Peru. Plumage is bronzy-brown with irregular white patches on the face, throat, and belly, and white teardrop-shaped spots on breast. Adult male has an iridescent purple and green lower back, but this is indistinct or lacking on females and younger birds.
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