Ashy tit

The ashy tit is a species of bird in the family Paridae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and dry savanna.

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Distribution

Region

Southern Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs patchily across Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and northern and western South Africa. Prefers dry savanna, open woodland, and thornveld, especially in acacia and mopane habitats. Frequently uses edges, riverine fringes with scattered trees, and lightly wooded farmland. It tolerates arid conditions and can occur near human settlements where suitable trees remain.

Altitude Range

0–1800 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.014 kg

Female Weight0.013 kg

Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

The ashy tit is a small African tit adapted to dry savannas and woodlands, where it forages acrobatically among thorny acacias and mopane. It often joins mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season and nests in natural tree cavities lined with soft plant fibers and hair. Adults have striking pale eyes that contrast with their grey plumage, and they deliver sharp scolding calls when alarmed.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

active and inquisitive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct dashes between trees

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and regularly joins mixed-species foraging parties. Territorial in the breeding season, nesting in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes lined with plant fibers, hair, and feathers. Both parents participate in provisioning the young.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A series of clear, whistled notes interspersed with sharp, scolding chips. Alarm calls are harsh, churring scolds; contact calls are thin tseet notes repeated in quick succession.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Ashy woodpecker

The ashy woodpecker is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae. It is endemic to Sulawesi and surrounding islands in Indonesia. There are two subspecies, the nominate race M. f. fulvus, which is found in northern Sulawesi, the islands of Lembeh and Manterawu, and the archipelagos of Togian and Banggai; and M. f. wallacei, from southern Sulawesi and the islands of Muna and Buton. The second subspecies is named for the collector and scientist Alfred Russel Wallace.

Ashy woodswallow

The ashy woodswallow, sometimes also called the ashy swallow-shrike, is a woodswallow which is found in south Asia. Like other woodswallows, it has a short curved bill, a short square tail and long wings. It is usually seen perched in groups, high on powerlines, tall bare trees and most often in areas with a predominance of tall palm trees.

Ashy-bellied white-eye

The ashy-bellied white-eye is a species of bird in the family Zosteropidae found in the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Indonesian Archipelago and northern Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. It is sometimes called the pale white-eye or pale-bellied white-eye, but should not be confused with the pale-bellied white-eye.

Ashy-crowned sparrow-lark

The ashy-crowned sparrow-lark is a small sparrow-sized member of the lark family. It is found in the plains in open land with bare ground, grass and scrub across South Asia. The males are well marked with a contrasting black-and-white face pattern, while females are sandy brown, looking similar to a female sparrow. Males are easily detected during the breeding season by the long descending whistle that accompanies their undulating and dive-bombing flight displays.