The Alluring Beauty of the Black-Throated Bushtit: A Small Bird with Exquisite Colors

Meet the black-throated bushtit, a real bird species with a peculiar name and stunning appearance. Also referred to as the black-throated tit, this charming creature measures only around 10.5 centimeters (4 inches) in size and weighs between 4 to 9 grams (0.14 to 0.317 ounces).

Chen Chengguang, a Taiwanese wildlife photographer specializing in bird photography, has beautifully captured these birds through his lens. In Chengguang’s images, the soft and vibrant plumage of the black-throated bushtit shines, inviting thoughts of how delightful it would be to touch these adorable creatures.

While the plumage of the black-throated bushtit varies significantly across different subspecies, all of them share certain features such as a medium-length tail (unlike the long tail of the closely related long-tailed tit), a black throat, and a distinctive black “bandit mask” encircling the eye.

This bird species is found in various habitats, spanning from the foothills of the Himalayas and extending across northern India, northeastern Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, Vietnam, and Taiwan. There have also been sightings of isolated populations in southern Vietnam, Hainan Island, and further north in China, reaching up to the Yellow River.

Typically, the black-throated bushtit inhabits open broadleaf forests as well as pine forests, favoring middle altitudes. Highly social in nature, it often travels in large flocks of up to 40 birds.

Feeding on insects, small seeds, and fruits, the black-throated bushtit has a diverse diet. Interestingly, it particularly enjoys indulging in raspberries.