Passeriformes / Aegithalidae / Aegithalos
Black-throated Bushtit
Aegithalos concinnus · 红头长尾山雀
Introduction
A very small passerine bird in the family Aegithalidae. It ranges from the Himalayan foothills across northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Taiwan, with disjunct populations in southern Vietnam, Cambodia, Hainan, and China up to the Yellow River. It inhabits open broadleaf and pine forests at middle altitudes. Distinctive traits include a highly social nature, traveling in large flocks, and a black throat with a black 'bandit mask' around the eye.
Description
Small passerine, approximately 10.5 cm (4.1 in) long and weighing 4–9 g (0.14–0.32 oz). Possesses a medium-length tail, a black throat, and a black 'bandit mask' around the eye. The nominate race features a chestnut cap, breast band, and flanks, with a dark grey back, wings, and tail, and a white belly. Other subspecies generally share this pattern but may lack the chest band, having grey caps or all-grey bellies and flanks. Both sexes are alike.
Distribution & Habitat
Ranges from the Himalayan foothills through northern India, north-eastern Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Disjunct populations occur in southern Vietnam, eastern Cambodia, on the island of Hainan, and further north in China up to the Yellow River. Inhabits open broadleaf forest and pine forest, generally at middle altitudes.
Behavior & Ecology
Highly social, traveling in large flocks of up to 40 birds. Groups often join mixed-species feeding flocks. Feeds on small insects, spiders, small seeds, fruits, and berries, particularly raspberries. The nest is constructed from moss and lichen and hangs from tree branches.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Aegithalidae
- Genus
- Aegithalos
Vocalizations
Subspecies (7)
-
Aegithalos concinnus annamensis
southern Laos (Bolaven Plateau) and Vietnam (central and southern Annam)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
