The
Green-backed tit has an average body length of 12cm and a
wing length of 6.5cm. With the exception of their cheeks,
auriculars, and napes, their black heads and necks are mixed
with shimmering blue feathers. The main characteristics of
the Green-backed tit are the white patches on their cheeks
and the black stripe on the center of their lower bellies,
which is narrower on females than on males. Green-backed tits
have yellowish-green backs, grayish rumps and upper tail coverts,
dark yellow abdomens, and brownish-black wing feathers with
blue edges. Their coverts have two sets of horizontal white
lines on them, and their tail feathers are black with blue
edges. Green-backed tits have black beaks and lead-colored
legs and feet.
Behavior:
Green-backed
tits make a variety of beautiful calls. Their diet consists
primarily of insects, and they are often seen alone or in
pairs searching for food amongst tree branches. They are very
tame and friendly birds, and will mingle with other bird groups
such as Formosan yuhinas and Flamecrests. The breeding season
for Green-backed tits falls between April and June, and they
usually build their nests inside notches on electric lampposts,
in broken bamboo poles, or in the holes of decayed trees found
in mountainous areas. Females typically lay a clutch of three
to four grayish-white eggs that are covered with light purple
specks. In the winter, the Green-backed tits will migrate
to the lower mountains and onto the plains at lower elevations,
and return to the upper mountains in the spring to breed.
Habitat:
Green-backed
tits are an endemic sub-species to Taiwan commonly seen in
the mountains at low and middle altitudes, as well as in broad-leaved
forests located at 1000-2500m elevations.
