Introduction

The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and nesting. Tits are no exception in this regard. Various types of Tits have been recorded in India. Those described and mentioned below belong to the kingdom, Animalia; phylum, Chordata; class, Aves; order, Passeriformes; and family, Paridae.

Indian Tit

Indian Tit is a resident breeder of the Indian Subcontinent. This bird can be identified in terms of black colored head, large crest, neck and throat. The bird has yellow cheeks and supercilia. The bird has olive-green upperparts. It has two white or yellowish wingbars and white outer tail feathers. The female counterpart and young birds are duller than males. The broad black line down the otherwise yellow front is broader in the male.

White-Naped Tit

White-Naped Tit is endemic to India. This tit has a striking monochromatic appearance. The male bird has a glossy, bluish-black colored head. The crest of the bird is black and feathered. Its wings are also black in color. There is a thick, black line running down the centre of the breast, while the rest of the parts are creamy white. The female counterpart has been examined as slightly duller and less glossy, but similarly patterned. The underparts are pale yellow in appearance. White-Naped Tit is being referred to as a "vulnerable" bird, due to loss and degradation of its habitat.

Sultan Tit

Sultan Tit is a local resident in eastern Himalayas, north-east and central India. The forehead and crown of the male bird is adorned with striking yellow crest. The bird has deep black colored upper parts, including the sides of the head and neck, chin, throat and breast, glossed with green. There is metallic luster on the edges of the feathers of the upper plumage. The underside is deep yellow. The thighs are barred or mottled with white. The female counterpart has dark greenish brown upper parts and sides of the head. The chin and throat are glossed and dark olive-green. The feathers of the upper plumage are edged with metallic green. The portions of the bird in yellow are dull. The wings and tail of the bird are also dull.

Cinereous Tit

Cinereous Tit is widely distributed from north to south India. This bird is identified in terms of grey back, black hood, white cheek patch and a white wing-bar. The underside is white with the black central stripe running along the length. The female counterpart has been examined as slightly duller, with a narrower ventral line.

Green-backed Tit

The Green-backed Tit, a vibrant bird of the Paridae family, is native to India and several other Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Vietnam. This striking bird inhabits boreal, temperate, and subtropical forests, favoring broad-leaved and mixed forest regions.

Recognizable by its bright yellow belly, greenish back, and two distinct white wingbars, the Green-backed Tit closely resembles the Japanese Tit but stands out with its vivid coloration. It is often spotted foraging in the middle and upper forest canopies, either in pairs or as part of mixed-species flocks.

This species’ song is a series of 3-4 whistles, while its occasional gruff "deedeedee" call adds to its charm. Although its population is decreasing, the decline is not rapid enough to classify it as vulnerable. The Green-backed Tit remains a delightful presence in India’s diverse avian landscape.

Indian Yellow Tit

The Indian Yellow Tit is a striking crested bird, easily recognized by its black front, bright yellow cheeks, and prominent yellow eyebrow. Its yellow-green upperparts, white-spotted wings, and bold yellow-and-black underparts add to its vivid appearance. Females and juveniles are more subdued, featuring shorter crests, thinner central stripes, and paler yellow tones, which may fade to dull white.

This hill-dwelling species is commonly found at elevations between 500 and 1800 meters, rarely venturing to lower altitudes. Indian Yellow Tits are typically observed in pairs or family groups and often join mixed-species flocks during the non-breeding season. They are active foragers, favoring the canopy, where they search for food while calling out with loud whistles and harsh chatters.

Rufous-naped Tit

Rufous-naped Tit, also called the Black-breasted Tit or Dark-grey Tit, is a captivating songbird belonging to the Paridae family. Native to the western Himalayas, this species boasts a wide range that extends across India, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and parts of Turkestan. Known for its striking appearance and melodic song, the Rufous-naped Tit thrives in diverse habitats within its range. Despite its widespread presence, the species remains common and is not classified as threatened by the IUCN.

Rufous-vented Tit

Rufous-vented Tit is an Asian songbird with a striking presence in the Himalayas. Previously linked to its western relative, the Rufous-naped Tit, this species has a distinct identity with a wide range spanning Bhutan, China, Pakistan, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.  It thrives in boreal and temperate forests, showcasing its adaptability to high-altitude habitats. In India, it is commonly spotted in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.

Coal Tit

The Coal Tit is a small, energetic bird recognized by its large black bib, white wingbars, and distinctive white nape stripe. This species exhibits striking geographic variations, with Himalayan birds sporting a small crest, while European birds lack crests and have buffy flanks.

Thriving in coniferous and mixed forests, gardens, and parks, the Coal Tit is often seen in India, especially in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This bird inhabits foothill and montane regions. During autumn and winter, it joins mixed-species flocks, moving swiftly through foliage and emitting high-pitched calls.

Grey-crested Tit

The Grey-crested Tit, a striking member of the Paridae family, is native to the Himalayan foothills and southern-central China. In India, it is commonly observed in the Kullu-Manali district of Himachal Pradesh.

This species thrives in temperate and subtropical moist montane forests, where its presence adds to the region’s rich biodiversity. Known for its distinctive appearance and lively behavior, the Grey-crested Tit is a fascinating sight for bird enthusiasts exploring these lush habitats. Its adaptability to high-altitude forests makes it a notable resident of the Himalayan ecosystem.

Ground Tit

Ground Tit is a unique bird found in highland pastures, meadows, and dry steppes, primarily across the Tibetan Plateau, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. Unlike typical tits, it resembles a small corvid with dusty brown upperparts, white underparts, and a dark, curved bill.

Bold and adaptable, the Ground Tit often forages in villages and towns and uses burrows of pikas and marmots for shelter. It is frequently seen in small groups, sometimes associating with larks and snowfinches. 

Himalayan Black-Lored Tit

The Himalayan Black-Lored Tit, also known as the Black-Lored Tit, is a vibrant passerine bird in the Paridae family. Closely related to the Yellow-Cheeked Tit and possibly the Yellow Tit, it is a resident breeder along the Himalayan range, including parts of India and Nepal. This active and agile bird thrives in forest canopies, where it feeds on insects, spiders, and occasionally fruit. Its striking plumage and energetic behavior make it a fascinating sight for bird enthusiasts exploring Himalayan forests.

Yellow-cheeked Tit

The Yellow-Cheeked Tit is a striking medium-sized bird found in subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests. Preferring broadleaf and mixed hill forests, it is also seen in nearby parks and gardens. Known for its vibrant yellow face and nape contrasted with a black crest, throat, and breast, this tit is truly unmistakable. Its wings feature gray and black hues with white spots and bars. Often gregarious, it forms small flocks or joins mixed feeding groups. Distributed across South and Southeast Asia, including India, it is frequently spotted in Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal. 

Spot-winged Tit

The Spot-Winged Tit, also known as the Black-Crested Tit, is now widely regarded as a subspecies of the Coal Tit. This bird inhabits boreal and temperate forests in the northern Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Himalayan region. Its range extends across Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Noted for its adaptability to high-altitude environments, the Spot-Winged Tit is a distinctive presence in its natural habitat. Its subtle charm and connection to the Himalayan ecosystem make it a fascinating species for bird enthusiasts.

Black-throated Tit

Black-Throated Tit, also called the Black-Throated Bushtit, is a tiny passerine bird in the Aegithalidae family. It features a chestnut cap, breast band, flanks, and dark gray back, wings, and tail, with a white belly in the nominate race. Other subspecies display variations, such as gray caps or entirely gray bellies and flanks. Both sexes look similar. This bird inhabits open broadleaf and pine forests, typically at middle altitudes. Its range spans the foothills of the Himalayas, including northern India, northeastern Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, Vietnam, and Taiwan, making it a delightful sight in diverse forested regions.