Rufous-naped Tit Periparus rufonuchalis

Small, dark, crested tit of montane and hilly coniferous forests. Lack of white on the wings (except for large cheek patch) and erect crest separate it from Coal Tit. The namesake rufous nape patch is small and fairly difficult to see. Rufous-vented Tit is extremely similar in appearance, and the two species overlap in the central and western Himalayas, but note present species’ much more extensive black breast. An occasional member of mixed-species flocks in the winter. Calls variable, include a cheery “pi-chew, pi-chew”, bright “chewee, chewee”, and high-pitched, squeaky “cheee”s and “seee”s. Song typically consists of several high-pitched whistles, followed by buzzes, trills, or descending notes.