Anthoscopus

Anthoscopus
Grey penduline tit
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Remizidae
Genus:	Anthoscopus Cabanis, 1850
Species
see text

Anthoscopus is a genus of birds in the penduline tit family Remizidae. The genus is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, where it ranges from the Sahel to South Africa. Unlike many of the Eurasian penduline, these species are not generally migratory, instead remaining close to their breeding sites year round. A wide range of habitats is occupied by the six species, from deserts to woodlands to rainforest.

Nests

Their pendulous and elaborately woven nests have false entrances above the true entrance, these in turn lead to a false chamber. The true nesting chamber is accessed by the parent opening a hidden flap, entering and then closing the flap shut again, the two sides sealing with sticky spider webs. These false entrances are used to confuse potential predators and protect the eggs and nestlings.^[1]

Species

It contains the following six species:

• Sennar penduline tit (Anthoscopus punctifrons)
• Yellow penduline tit (Anthoscopus parvulus)
• Mouse-colored penduline tit (Anthoscopus musculus)
• Forest penduline tit (Anthoscopus flavifrons)
• Grey penduline tit (Anthoscopus caroli)
• Cape penduline tit (Anthoscopus minutus)

References