Ashy tit

Parus cinerascens

Photo by Matt Muir (iNaturalist)

Common name:
ashy tit (en); chapim-cinzento (pt); mésange cendrée (fr); carbonero cinéreo (es); akazienmeise (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Paridae

Range:
This species is found from southern Angola and Zimbabwe south to central South Africa.

Size:
These birds are 14,5-15 cm long and weigh 18,5-22 g.

Habitat:
The ashy tit is mostly found in dry Acacia savannas, particularly Acacia erioloba, also using dry scrublands and dry tropical forests. They occur at altitudes of 275-1.880 m.

Diet:
They feed on various small invertebrates, including caterpillars, beetles, ants, flies and spiders, but also take some fruits and seeds.

Breeding:

Ashy tits are monogamous and breed in September-April. The nest is a thick pad made of animal hair and fine plant fibres, usually placed in either a natural tree cavity or an old barbet or woodpecker nest. There the female lays 3-6 eggs, which she incubates alone for 14-15 days while the male brings her food. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 20-22 days after hatching.


Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common to fairly common. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.