Rufous-fronted Bushtit

Overview

The rufous-fronted bushtit (Aegithalos iouschistos) is a small bird in the family Aegithalidae. It is one of eight species within the genus Aegithalos and was formally described in 1845 by Edward Blyth.

Identification

• Small, long-tailed bird measuring 11–12 cm in length.
• Grey upperparts with a rufous breast and flanks, and a white belly.
• Buff head featuring a broad black mask, a white forehead, and a white bib speckled with black in the centre.

Habitat

Found in boreal and temperate forests across the Himalayas, mid-southern China, and sporadically in Myanmar. Its range extends from Nepal to northern India and southeastern Tibet, including parts of Sichuan, Yunnan, and southwestern Myanmar.

Did you know?

The specific epithet iouschistos combines the Ancient Greek ioeis meaning 'dark' with the Late Latin schistos meaning 'slate'.