White-browed tit-warbler
White-browed tit-warbler | |
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Male of nominate subspecies
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Female of nominate subspecies | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Aegithalidae |
Genus: | Leptopoecile |
Species: | L. sophiae
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Binomial name | |
Leptopoecile sophiae Severtsov, 1873
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Range in green, on a map of central Asia |
The white-browed tit-warbler (Leptopoecile sophiae) is a species of
Taxonomy and systematics
The white-browed tit warbler is a passerine bird in the bushtit family. It was first described in 1873 by Russian ornithologist Nikolai Severtzov.[2]
The genus name, Leptopoecile, comes from
Four subspecies are recognized:[4]
- L. s. sophiae (Severtzov, 1873) – The nominate subspecies. It ranges from southeast Kazakhstan to northwest China, as well as northwest India and north Pakistan.[2]
- L. s. stoliczkae (Xizang provinces. It has the lightest plumage of the subspecies, and its buff underparts are more extensive.[2] This subspecies is named for Ferdinand Stoliczka, the Czech zoologist.[3]: 366
- L. s. major (Menzbier, 1885) – Found in west Xinjiang and north Qinghai province in China. It has lighter plumage than the nominate race and is relatively drab, but still darker than L. s. stoliczkae. Found at lower altitudes in heavy forest.[2] Major means "great" in Latin.[3]: 238
- L. s. obscurus (Przewalski, 1887) – Present in central Nepal, south and southeast Xizang and south and east Qinghai to south Gansu and Sichuan provinces in China. It is found at higher elevations within the range, preferring moist mountain scrub habitats. Its plumage is darker than the nominate race, with a more rufous crown. Interbreeding with the nominate race occurs where their range overlaps in Qinghai and Gansu provinces.[2] Obscurus means "dark" or "dusky" in Latin.[3]: 278
The exact range boundaries of the subspecies are not well known. The nominate race and L. s. obscurus form a similar group distinguished by their dark coloration and high altitude homes, whereas L. s. major and L. s. stoliczkae form a group distinguished by light coloration and lower altitude range. Since they inhabit different biomes in each group, and are somewhat distinct from the other, it has been proposed that they may actually be two different species.[2]
Description
These birds are small, weighing 6–8 g (0.21–0.28 oz) and are 8.5–10 cm (3.3–3.9 in) long. The males are vibrantly colored, with distinctive blue-mauve underparts.
Distribution and habitat
The white-browed tit-warbler prefers dry mountainous shrubland between 2,000–5,000 m (6,600–16,400 ft). It ranges in the
Behavior and ecology
White-browed tit-warblers generally live in pairs during the breeding season, but will join flocks of 25 or more individuals at the end of the season. During winter these flocks may become multi-species.[2]
Breeding and nesting
A study in the mountains of
The Tibetan study noted some unusual behavior, such as two females attending a single nest, which means that the species may practice
Feeding
Their diet consists chiefly of small insects and spiders, which are caught mainly on the ground. They are vigorous foragers, and search under roots and rocks. Some insects may be taken aerially, however. The diet is supplemented by a small amount of seeds and berries in the colder months. Chicks are fed solely insect matter.[2]
Survival
Predation accounts for a relatively low rate of nest failure: only 34% compared to an average of 80% for birds in similar habitats. This may be enabled by their well camouflaged nests, or simply the lack of local predators.
Status
The Tibetan study found a significant decline in nests between 2005 and 2007, but was uncertain what had caused such a steep loss.[5]
References
- . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-84-96553-45-3
- ^ S2CID 82496461. Archived from the original(PDF) on 15 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2017). "Bushtits, leaf warblers, reed warblers". World Bird List Version 8.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- ^ S2CID 85964642.
- S2CID 1688051.
- ^ Abbas, Saeed; Tabassum, Rahila; Khan, Muhammad Zafar; Khan, Babar; Hussain, Shahid; Khan, Garee; Awan, Muhammad Saeed (2014-01-01). "Avian Diversity in Central Karakoram National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan". International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 16: 1560–8530.
- S2CID 51888913.