Tits and Chickadees (Paridae)

Spot-winged Tit (Periparus melanolophus) - HBW 12, p. 721

French: Mésange de Vigors German: Schwarzschopfmeise Spanish: Carbonero Crestinegro
Other common names: Crested Black Tit, Black-crested Tit, Spot-winged Black Tit, Vigors’s Tit

Taxonomy: Parus melanolophus Vigors, 1831, Simla-Almora district, Himalayas, north India.
Until recently present genus normally subsumed into a broad Parus, and many authors still prefer that treatment. Forms a superspecies with P. ater, and the two regularly hybridize in W Nepal; sometimes considered conspecific. Birds from NE Afghanistan and adjacent Pakistan, slightly larger and with darker upperparts than those elsewhere in species’ range, may merit subspecific recognition; further research required. Monotypic.

Distribution: E Afghanistan, NW Pakistan and Himalayas E to WC Nepal.