About Poecile varius castaneoventris (Gould, 1863)
The varied tit (Poecile varius castaneoventris) measures 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) in length, weighs 16–18 g (0.56–0.63 oz), and has a wing length of 6.0–7.8 cm (2.4–3.1 in). In the nominate race S. v. varius, the crown, bill, throat, upper breast, and nape are black, while the forehead, face, and cheeks are white. The back, wings, and tail are bluish grey, and the mantle, lower breast, belly, and undertail coverts are chestnut-colored. A thin white central line runs from the crown to the nape, and the feet are dark grey. This species lives in open mixed forests, particularly those containing the Japanese Castanopsis species Castanopsis cuspidata and Japanese larch. It also inhabits coniferous forests with Japanese yews, Cryptomeria (sugi), and pines, as well as bamboo forests growing on mountain slopes and in river valleys. The varied tit has a mixed diet of seeds and insects, most notably caterpillars. Its call is made up of soft, small tones that sound like tzu....tzu....tzu...
