The Sennar penduline tit is a species of bird in the family Remizidae, the most northerly member of the genus Anthoscopus. It is found in Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.
Region
Sahel region of Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across the Sahel and adjacent Sudano-Sahelian zones from Senegal and Mauritania east through Mali, Niger, and northern Nigeria to Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, with extensions into northern Cameroon. It favors dry savanna, thorn scrub, and open Acacia and Commiphora bushland. The species also uses riparian thickets, wadis, and scattered trees along village margins. It generally avoids dense forest and true desert, preferring patchy, shrubby habitats with scattered trees.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
One of Africa’s smallest passerines, the Sennar penduline tit weaves intricate, globular nests from plant fibers and spider silk, often suspended from thorny branches. It forages nimbly among acacias and Sahelian shrubs, gleaning tiny insects from leaves and flower heads. The species is generally inconspicuous but reveals itself by its high, tinkling calls.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, bounding hops between shrubs
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups, often joining mixed-species foraging parties in the dry season. Pairs build elaborate, globular nests from fibers, seed down, and spider silk, suspended from thin branches in thorny trees. Breeding is typically during or just after rains when insects are abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin, tinkling trills and short tsit or tsee contact notes, delivered frequently while foraging. The song is light and metallic, carrying modestly through scrub without being conspicuous.
