Rufus-vented Tit
Rufous-vented Tit Periparus rubidiventris
Etymology:
- Periparus : Greek word peri – very, all around; genus Parus-
- Rubidiventris :Latin word rubidus – red, ruddy; ventris –
Distribution in India: Resident of Himalayas and Nagaland in India
Description: Size of 12–13 cm. Wt. of 7–13·1 g. It is a small to medium-sized, compact tit with black cap and pointed crest, rufous underparts. The male of nominate race has black or slightly glossed bluish on its forehead to crown and crest, small nuchal patch white with faint rufous tinge. The cheek and ear-coverts are whitish; the upperparts are dark grey, lightly tinged olive, except for more buffish uppertail-coverts. The tail is similar to back, all rectrices finely fringed bluish-grey; upperwing-coverts are dark grey, fringed bluish-grey, flight-feathers are blackish-grey, finely fringed bluish-grey, palest on inner primaries. The chin and throat including side of throat to upper breast is black, rest of underparts light rufous or rufous-buff, except for greyish lower breast side and flanks.In worn plumage, crown is duller, upperparts are darker and underparts are duller; iris is blackish-brown to reddish-brown; bill is black; legs are lead-blue to blue-grey. The female is like male, but on average slightly paler on crown and duller on chin to upper breast.
Habitat: It is found in forests, mostly deciduous, mixed broadleaf forest and woodland, mixed forests of pine, hemlock, cypresses, rhododendron, birch,fir, juniperand dwarf willow. It breeds from 2500m up to 4500 m. In non-breeding season from 2100m up to 3200 m
Food habits: It eats small invertebrates and larvae, and some seeds. It isfound in pairs or in groups, including during breeding season. It is also found in mixed-species foraging flocks in non-breeding season. It forages mostly in canopy and upper levels of forest trees, but also descends to lower levels and undergrowth.
Breeding habits: They breed in Apr–Jun in Himalayas. Thenest is mostly made of moss and animal fur, placed in hole or cavity in tree, or in hole in ground in bank or among roots of tree. They lay a clutch of 2–3 eggs.