The silver-throated bushtit or silver-throated tit is a species of passerine bird in the family Aegithalidae, widespread throughout the temperate forests of Central, East and parts of North and Western China. The bird's native habitats are mainly along the middle/lower Yangtze and Yellow River basins, although there is also a small southwestern habitat extension in Yunnan along the Lancang valley within the Hengduan Mountains. It has two recognized subspecies.
Region
Central and Eastern China
Typical Environment
It occupies temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, riparian woodlands, and shrubby edges throughout the middle and lower Yangtze and Yellow River basins. It also uses secondary growth, orchards, and large parks where continuous shrub and tree cover persists. A small southwestern extension reaches the Lancang (upper Mekong) valley in Yunnan within the Hengduan Mountains. It is generally sedentary, with local movements following food availability.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2600 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small, long-tailed passerine, the silver-throated bushtit was recently recognized as distinct from the long-tailed tit complex. It weaves an elastic, domed nest from moss, lichens, and spider silk, heavily lined with feathers for insulation. Highly social, it forages in cohesive family parties and often joins mixed-species flocks in winter.
Illustration by Josephe Huët
A. g. glaucogularis, Ezhou, Hubei Province, China.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it travels in tight family groups and may join mixed-species flocks. Pairs build domed, camouflaged nests placed in dense shrubs or trees. They maintain strong pair bonds and sometimes receive assistance from related helpers when raising young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are high, thin tsee and si-si notes delivered in quick series, often as constant contact calls within flocks. The song is a soft, twittering sequence of high-pitched notes interspersed with buzzy trills.
