Grey Crested Tit (Lophophanes dichrous) [XC21897]
by Guy Kirwan from Hilley, Sikkim, India (call)
Grey Crested Tit (Lophophanes dichrous) [XC791034]
by id from Tarkeghyang (near Helambu), Bagmati, Central Region, Nepal (call)
Subspecies
Relationship with Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) uncertain. Further study needed. Both were previously considered, on grounds mainly of morphology, to have close affinity with Bridled Titmouse (Baeolophus wollweberi).
Subspecies wellsi intergrades with both nominate and dichroides in southern China. eastern Himalayan populations perhaps separable from nominate as subspecies izzardi, on basis of longer wing.
The following 4 subspecies are recognised:
kangrae Whistler, 1932 - North-western Himalayas (Jammu and Kashmir east to Kumaon).
dichrous (Blyth, 1844) - Central and eastern Himalayas east to south-western China (southern Xizang).
dichroides Przewalski, 1876 - Central China (eastern and southern Qinghai, southern Gansu and southern Shaanxi south to northern Sichuan).
wellsi (Baker, ECS, 1917) - Southern China (eastern Xizang east to northern Sichuan and western and northern Yunnan) and north-eastern Myanmar.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet