Cape Penduline Tit

Overview

The Cape penduline tit (Anthoscopus minutus), also known as the southern penduline tit, is a species of bird in the family Remizidae. Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it is distributed across southern and central Africa.

Identification

• Length of eight centimetres, making it one of the smallest bird species in Africa.
• Found alongside its cousins, the grey penduline tit and the mouse-coloured penduline tit, which share its small stature.

Habitat

This species inhabits dry savannah, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation. Its range includes Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Did you know?

The bird constructs a globular nest using the webs of Stegodyphus spiders and plant silken fibres, featuring a false entrance and a movable septum. This unique structure serves as a defence mechanism against snakes and other nest predators by allowing the bird to close the true entrance before leaving.