Tits and Chickadees (Paridae)

Canary Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae) - HBW 12, p. 748

French: Mésange des Canaries German: Kanarenmeise Spanish: Herrerillo Canario
Other common names: Tenerife Tit; African Blue Tit (when combined with races ultramarinus and cyrenaicae of C. caeruleus)

Taxonomy: Parus Teneriffae Lesson, 1831, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Until recently present genus normally subsumed into a broad Parus, and many authors still prefer that treatment. Forms a superspecies with C. caeruleus and C. cyanus. Previously considered conspecific with former, but has isolated island range and differs in mitochondrial DNA; alternatively, races ultramarinus and cyrenaicae of C. caeruleus may be better included in present species; further research required. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: