Saturday, 6 June 2015

Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus)

OTHER NAMES: European Crested Tit 
Latin Etymology: Lophophanes ("crest showing") cristatus ("crested")
Adult Crested Tit (subspecies L. c. mitratusin Parque Oeste, Madrid, Spain - June 2015

Featured Subspecies: Lophophanes cristatus mitratus
Weight: 10-13g  /  Length: 11.5cm  /  Wingspan: 17-20cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Crested Tit is a highly distinctive species in Europe, its sharp crest being a feature not found in any other tit species on the continent making it's identification easy.  However, as a British species it's distribution is very restricted - while on mainland Europe it can be found throughout Northern and Western Europe, in the UK it can only be found in the ancient Caledonian Forests of Scotland.  Everywhere else in it's range, it can be be found in any suitable pine habitat, including in city parks such as the one in Madrid where we found this one!

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Lophophanes
Subspecies: L. .c scotius, L. c. abadiei, L. c. weigoldi, L. c. cristatus, L. c. baschkirikus, L. c. mitratus, L. c. bureschi.

 - Sighting Locations -
SPAIN - Spanish - Herrerillo capuchina ("Capuchin Tit")
Fairly Common and widespread resident in suitable habitat
 - MADRID 2015 TRIP: Small flock seen in Parque Oeste
 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Several pairs seen in treetops at El Pardo 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPBWikipedia, Xeno-canto

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