CONFUSING BIRDS in NAMIBIA: BLACK TITS
Within the sub-region there are two ‘black tits’ and for the most part they are easily separable based on known distribution with the only overlap taking place in the very north of Namibia.
As such the Southern Black Tit tends to favour the broad-leafed woodland in areas of higher rainfall to that preferred by Carp’s Tit, which is found in arid savannah and open thornveld along the eastern edge of the Namib Desert.
Outside of the obvious distinction associated with known distribution patterns and habitat preference the Carp’s Tit has slightly more white in the wings and blackish underparts compared to the barred undertail and black edged primaries of the Southern Black Tit.
Examples of a Carp’s Black Tit photographed in the Erongo Mountains of Namibia compared to a Southern Black Tit in Kruger Park illustrate the subtle difference between the two.
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