Yellow-bellied tit

Parus venustulus

Photo by Tom Beeke (Oriental Bird Images)

Common name:
yellow-bellied tit (en); chapim-de-barriga-amarela (pt); mésange gracieuse (fr); carbonero ventrigualdo (es); schmuckmeise (de)

Taxonomy:
Order passeriformes
Family Paridae

Range:
This species is endemic to China, being found in the eastern parts of the country from Liaoning in the north to Guangdong and Sichuan in the south.

Size:
These birds are 10-11 cm long and weigh 9-12,5 g.

Habitat:
The yellow-bellied tit is found in tropical and temperate forests, including broadleaf subtropical and evergreen forests, mixed conifer and deciduous forests. They also use arable land and occur at altitudes of 350-3.050 m.

Diet:
They feed on small invertebrates and larvae, seeds and small fruits.

Breeding:
Yellow-bellied tits breed in May-July. They nest in natural tree cavities lined with green moss, leaves, plant fibres, wool and animal hair. The female lays 5-7 eggs which are incubated for 12 days. The chicks fledge 16-17 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described and, although the global population size has not been quantified, it is reported to be locally common. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.