Passeriformes / Paridae / Melanochlora
Sultan Tit
Melanochlora sultanea · 冕雀
Introduction
This species is the only member of the monotypic genus Melanochlora, positioned third-basal in the family Paridae. It is an Asian forest bird evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Description
It is the largest tit species, measuring 20–20.5 cm in length with a weight of 34–49 g. The male features a brilliant yellow forehead, crown, and crest (glossy black in one subspecies), with deep black upperparts glossed with green and deep yellow underparts. The outermost tail feathers are tipped with white. The female has duller plumage with dark greenish-brown upperparts and olive-green throat. Young birds resemble females but lack bright edges on upper parts and have shorter crests. The bill is black, iris dark brown, and legs grey.
Identification
Key marks include the large size, recumbent crest that raises when alert, and exposed nostrils not covered by feathers. Flight is slow and fluttering. Vocalizations include loud, tit-like whistling notes, a rattling 'chi-dip, tri-trip', harsh explosive hissing calls, and squeaky repeated 'wheet' whistles.
Distribution & Habitat
The species is widely distributed across suitable habitats in Asia. Four subspecies are recognized. It frequents larger trees in forests, including areas like the Buxa Tiger Reserve where density is estimated at around 15 per square kilometre.
Behavior & Ecology
It forages singly or in small groups of up to twelve individuals, often in mixed-species flocks with warblers. Feeding occurs mainly in the mid and upper canopy on invertebrates such as grasshoppers, mantises, spiders, and caterpillars, as well as berries, figs, and seeds. The breeding season in India is April to July, with a clutch of five to seven eggs laid in a lined tree cavity. Captive individuals may panic when encountering unusual noise or other species.
Conservation
Evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paridae
- Genus
- Melanochlora
Subspecies (4)
-
Melanochlora sultanea flavocristata
southern Myanmar to southern Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Hainan
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.
