The
Formosan yellow tit has an average body length of 13cm and a
wing length of 7.5cm. Their beaks, legs, and feet are lead gray
in color. Males have a black crest that extends from their crown
to their nape, a white collar and central nape, and a dark grayish-green
back. Their wing feathers are black with bluish gray edges,
their tail feathers and lower tail coverts are both white, their
face and abdomen are yellow, and the area around their anus
is covered with black feathers. Thus, at first glance, males
appear to have a distinctive yellow and black contrast. Females
are similar to males in appearance, except they have a lighter-colored
lower abdomen and the area around their anus is not covered
with black colored feathers.
Behavior:
Formosan
yellow tits are often found singing alone or in pairs in treetops
with a loud, beautiful voice. Their diet consists primarily
of insects. A colorful bird with yellowish-green plumage, they
are similar in appearance to Green-backed tits, including having
black crests. If not mingling alone, they will often pair with
other birds from the Timaliidae or Paridae families. Of the
four species of tit found in Taiwan, the Formosan yellow tit
has the largest build and is the only sub-species of Paridae
found on the island.
Habitat:
Formosan
yellow tits are an uncommon resident endemic to Taiwan that
primarily inhabits broad-leaved forests at middle elevations,
usually located below 2000m.
