The Iriomote tit is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is endemic to the Yaeyama Islands which lie to the south west of Japan and to the east of Taiwan. Iriomote is the name of the largest island in the group.
Region
Ryukyu Islands (Yaeyama Group), Japan
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests, secondary woodlands, forest edges, and wooded river valleys on Iriomote and nearby islands in the Yaeyama group. It forages from the lower understory to the mid-canopy and will use shrubby edges and plantations. Mangrove margins and mixed forest mosaics are visited where suitable foraging substrates exist. Proximity to undisturbed forest with cavity-bearing trees is important for nesting. It may venture into gardens and small orchards near forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small tit is confined to the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, with Iriomote giving the bird its common name. Like other tits, it is curious and adept at hanging from twigs while foraging. It often caches seeds and nuts in crevices to retrieve later, a strategy that helps it through lean periods. Its restricted range makes it sensitive to habitat changes despite much of Iriomote remaining forested.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it forms small, noisy parties that move through forest in mixed-species flocks. Pairs defend small territories in the breeding season and nest in natural cavities or old woodpecker holes, lining them with plant fibers and fur. Both parents feed the young and will cache food around the territory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A varied mix of clear whistles and scolding notes, including sharp chik-a-dee-like calls and buzzy trills. The call is brisk and repeated while foraging, with more musical phrases during courtship and territory advertisement.
Plumage
Compact tit with a black head and throat, bold pale cheek patch, and olive-tinged dark upperparts with warmer rufous to chestnut underparts. Wings and tail are dusky with paler fringes; overall tone is slightly duller and more olive than mainland varied tit forms. Plumage is crisp with clear contrasts on the head and face.
Diet
Feeds on insects and other arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders gleaned from leaves, bark, and twigs. Supplements this with seeds, berries, and nuts, including acorns where available. Frequently stores food items in bark crevices for later consumption. Will take advantage of seasonal fruiting and mast events.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the understory to mid-canopy of evergreen forests, along forest edges, and in wooded riparian corridors. Also visits mixed farmland-forest mosaics and gardens adjacent to woodland. Often hangs acrobatically while probing leaves and bark.
