PLATE 68: TITS I
Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
11–12 cm
ID Very similar to Willow Tit from which best distinguished by: restricted and rather tidy (vs. more extensive and irregular) throat bib; glossy (vs. dull) black cap; and absence of pale panel in folded wing (secondaries). However, all of these characters are variable and can be hard to discern. See also voice, distribution and habitat, below. Voice Usual call an explosive, sneezing pitchoo; song sweet but monotonous chip-chip-chip or tew-tew-tew. Habitat Coniferous and especially deciduous and mixed woodland, as well as wooded gardens and parks in towns. Behaviour Cavity nester. Agile and restless; forages in mixed flocks in winter. Dominates Willow Tit where they both breed. Status Common resident breeder in northern Mongolia from Uvs Depression through Hövsgöl, Khangai and Hentii ranges, with a disjunct population in eastern Dornod. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Parus.
Willow Tit Poecile montanus
11–12 cm
ID Very like Marsh Tit, but differs by slightly larger head, more extensive black bib and pale wing panel. See Marsh Tit for other plumage distinctions. See also habitat, distribution and (especially) voice, below. Voice Usual call is a harsh, nasal djeee r-djeer-djeer. Song resembles slow version of Wood Warbler’s song: tiu tiu tiu. Habitat Deciduous, coniferous and mixed forest as well as wooded parks and gardens in towns. Behaviour Similar to Marsh Tit. Excavates its own nest cavity from decaying wood. Status Common resident breeder with more extensive range than Marsh Tit, extending across northern forested areas of Mongolia. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Parus.
Great Tit Parus major
13–15 cm
ID The largest Mongolian tit with unmistakable plumage pattern consisting of black ‘cowl’ and belly stripe; contrasting white cheek patch; greenish back; and a single white wing-bar. Adult male has broader black stripe along lower breast and belly than female. Juv duller, with yellowish cheeks and reduced or absent belly stripe. Voice A bewildering variety of loud ringing calls. Song usually a repeated two-note phrase, often rendered as tea-cher tea-cher tea-cher. Habitat All forest types as well as wooded parks and gardens. Behaviour Lively, agile and bold; dominates other tit species in mixed flocks. Status Common and widespread resident breeder in forested regions from Mongol-Altai range to easternmost Dornod.
‘Turkestan Tit’ Parus (major) bokharensis
14–15 cm
ID Plumage pattern very similar to Great Tit, but underparts white, not yellow, and back grey, not green. Voice Similar to Great Tit. Habitat Nests and winters in willow, poplar and other deciduous woodlands in Bulgan River valley, in the west. Behaviour Similar to Great Tit. Status Rare and local resident breeder in Bulgan River valley, Khovd province. Taxonomy Considered by IOC and BirdLife International to be a subspecies of Great Tit P. major.
