Rufous-naped Tit Periparus rufonuchalis Scientific name definitions

13 cm; 11·4–14·7 g. Medium-sized to large, dark tit with short peaked crest and bright white cheeks. Male has forehead to crown and crest  black or slightly glossy blue-black, small whitish nuchal patch with lower edge buff or warm buff-brown (purer white in N Pakistan); cheek and ear-coverts white ; upperparts  dark grey, tinged lightly olive (mantle paler grey in E Afghanistan and N Pakistan); tail similar to upperparts, all rectrices finely fringed paler or bluish-grey; upperwing-coverts dark grey, fringed bluish-grey; flight-feathers blackish-grey, finely fringed bluish-grey; chin and throat (including side of throat) to breast and upper belly black, side of lower breast, upper flanks and axillaries rufous or light cinnamon (often visible at bend of wing), lower belly and lower flanks grey, undertail-coverts  light rufous to cinnamon (paler and more buff in N Pakistan); iris brown; bill black; legs lead-grey to black. Differs from P. rubidiventris in larger size, more extensive black bib (reaching to upper belly) and grey (not rufous) lower belly; from P. melanolophus also in having uniform wings. Female is very like male, but on average has less gloss on crown and duller, less extensive black on breast and upper belly. Juvenile is similar to adult, but crown and crest duller or dark grey, crest also shorter, nape patch dull whitish, upperparts more clearly washed brownish-olive (but tail and wings as adult), cheeks washed faintly buffish, chin to breast smudged blackish, rest of underparts dull grey-brown, paler buff on undertail-coverts.

S Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, NW China (W Xinjiang), NW & E Afghanistan, W & N Pakistan and E in Himalayas to WC Nepal (Kali Gandaki Gorge).

Montane and submontane conifer forests , principally of spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), deodar (Cedrus deodara) and pine (Pinus). In W of range (E to NW Himalayas) most frequently found in junipers (Juniperus), and in C Himalayas extends into spruce-oak (Picea-Quercus), birch (Betula) and rhododendrons (Rhododendron); occurs also in more open areas of scattered scrub and trees on hillsides. In NW Pakistan also in poplars (Populus), willows (Salix) and edges of cultivation, particularly mulberries (Morus) and in hazel (Corylus) scrub. Breeds at 1800–3000 m in C Asia and Afghanistan, 2200–3700 m in N Pakistan and N India, 2400–4000 m in W Nepal, and 2900–3500 m in NW China; in non-breeding season also at lower levels, down to 1200–1500 m in C Asia, down to 2100 m but exceptionally to foothills at c. 760 m in N Pakistan, and down to 1500 m elsewhere in Himalayas.

Largely resident; appears very well adapted to extremely cold winters at high elevations, but small numbers descend to lower levels outside breeding season.

Food mostly small invertebrates, seeds and berries; nestlings fed entirely with insects and larvae. Uses cracks in bark or branches as regular ‘anvils’ in which it places seeds and nuts, opening these by hammering them rapidly with the bill; not known to store food. Usually solitary, in pairs in breeding season; may join small mixed-species foraging flocks, often including P. melanolophus. Forages at all levels, from tops of trees to undergrowth, and frequently on ground.

Calls  include plaintive “cheep” or “peep” and short “sip”, often in combination as e.g. “sip-sip-sip, pee-sip, sih-pee, puu-sih-pu, tu-si-si”, also low-pitched, sharp “chut” or “chut-chut” and rapid “trrrr” similar to that given by Parus major. Has two songs: one (for establishing and marking territory) a series of up to 6 whistled notes followed by rapid trill  or buzz, “tip tip-pee-trrrrrrrr”, sometimes with other whistles added at end; the other song (in territory defence) a variable series of whistled notes  followed by downslurred whistle, “tsi-tsi-peeduw”, or “whi-whee, pitch-uu” reminiscent of some songs of P. ater, or a loud and slightly slower “tju-tju-hee”.

Season Apr–Jul. Monogamous. Display by male includes drooping and quivering of half-opened wings, hopping around female while emitting soft twittering notes. Nest built by both sexes, mostly of moss, animal hair or fur, wool and feathers, male adding material while female incubating, placed deep within hole or cavity low down (less than 1 m from ground) in tree trunk or stump, or in hole in wall, or frequently on ground in hole in steep bank, under stones or among roots of tree. Clutch 4–6 eggs; incubation by female, chicks fed by both parents; no information on duration of incubation and nestling periods.

Not globally threatened. Common in N India, and fairly common in Nepal; elsewhere in range locally common, but uncommon in W China.