About Poecile varius (Temminck & Schlegel, 1848)
Varied tit, scientifically named Poecile varius (Temminck & Schlegel, 1848), 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 inhabits multiple types of forest: open mixed forests particularly dominated by the Japanese Castanopsis species Castanopsis cuspidata and Japanese larch, coniferous forests containing 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, high tones that sound like tzu....tzu....tzu...
