The black-browed bushtit or black-browed tit is a species of bird in the family Aegithalidae. It is found in mid-southern China and sporadically in Myanmar. Its natural habitats are boreal forests and temperate forests. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the rufous-fronted tit of the central and eastern Himalayas but is now often regarded as a separate species. Sometimes the subspecies A. b. sharpei of western Burma is also treated as a species.
Region
South-central China and northern Myanmar
Typical Environment
It inhabits temperate and montane forests, including mixed broadleaf–conifer woods, rhododendron scrub, and bamboo thickets. The species favors forest edges, secondary growth, and mosaics of shrub and open canopy where it can glean from twigs and foliage. It is patchily distributed across mid-southern China with sporadic occurrences into western Myanmar. In winter it joins mixed flocks and may move locally to lower elevations. Breeding occurs in dense shrubs and conifer stands where nest sites are well concealed.
Altitude Range
1500–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The black-browed bushtit is a small long-tailed tit of montane forests, named for its distinctive dark eyebrow above a paler face. It was once lumped with the rufous-fronted tit but is now widely treated as a separate species; the western Myanmar form (A. b. sharpei) is sometimes split as well. Like other bushtits, it weaves an elaborate, domed nest from moss, lichens, and spider silk. Outside breeding season it often joins mixed-species flocks and stays in restless groups.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in small, chattering flocks or family parties that move quickly through foliage. Pairs are monogamous and build intricate, domed nests suspended in dense shrubs or conifers. Outside the breeding season, groups frequently join mixed-species foraging flocks with other small passerines.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are thin, high-pitched tsee and tsit notes given in rapid series as contact calls. Song is a soft, tinkling warble interspersed with sibilant chips, often delivered while flock members keep moving.
Plumage
Compact, long-tailed tit with a contrasting dark eyebrow over a pale face, warm rufous-toned forehead, and grey-brown upperparts. Underparts are buff to pale rufous with a whitish throat. Tail is relatively long and graduated, often with pale edges. Overall appearance is soft-textured with fine, neat feathering.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects, larvae, and spiders gleaned from leaves, needles, and fine twigs. It also hawks briefly for aerial insects and probes bark crevices for hidden prey. Occasional plant matter such as small berries and seeds may be taken in winter when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid-story and canopy of mixed montane forests, along edges, and in shrubby clearings. Frequently uses bamboo and rhododendron thickets and follows mixed-species flocks along forest margins.
