The White-browed tit-warbler (Leptopoecile sophiae) is a small bird in the family Aegithalidae. The species was first described by Russian ornithologist Nikolai Severtzov in 1873. The genus name of this bird, ‘Leptopoecile’, comes from the Greek ‘leptos’ and means ‘slender’ or ‘delicate’.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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Altitudinal MigrantAltitudinal migration is a short-distance animal migration from lower altitudes to higher altitudes and back. Altitudinal migrants change their ele...
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starts withThe males of this species are vibrantly colored, with distinctive blue-mauve underparts. Both males and females have a light brown crown and white supercilium (eyebrow). The rump and upper tail-coverts are violet-blue. Females are generally duller and can be distinguished by their pale underparts, whereas the males have violet-blue underparts and chest. The tail is relatively long.
White-browed tit-warblers are found in the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and much of Northwest China. They tend to disperse to lower elevations during the winter. The birds prefer to live in boreal forests and dry mountainous shrubland.
White-browed tit-warblers generally live in pairs during the breeding season but will join flocks of 25 or more individuals at the end of the season. During winter these flocks may become multi-species. They are active during the day and are vigorous foragers. They search for food on the ground under roots and rocks and may take some insects aerially.
White-browed tit-warblers are carnivores (insectivores). They mainly feed on small insects and spiders and supplement their diet with a small amount of seeds and berries in the colder months. Chicks are fed solely insect matter.
White-browed tit-warblers are monogamous. They form pairs and both partners share nesting duties. They begin breeding before any other local songbird, generally starting in early April and running through July. Breeding is delayed as elevation increases. Nests are dome-shaped and placed in shrubs about 0.9 m (3.0 ft) off the ground. Both partners build nests over a period of 2 weeks. The female lays 4 to 6 whitish eggs with red-brown spots on the tips, although up to 9 may be laid. Eggs average 1.14 g (0.040 oz) in mass and average 15.6 mm × 11.6 mm (0.61 in × 0.46 in) in dimension. Incubation lasts around 20-21 days. The chicks hatch naked and do not open their eyes until they are approximately 7 days old. They fledge at around 17-18 days of age.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to the IUCN Red List, the White-browed tit-warbler is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...