Anthoscopus caroli
The Grey Penduline Tit (*Anthoscopus caroli*) is a diminutive and engaging passerine of African savannas, instantly recognizable by its compact size, distinctive plumage, and remarkable nest-building prowess. Averaging a mere 8-9 cm in length and weighing 6-8 grams, it sports a soft, pale grey head, a contrasting dark mask extending through the eye, and a rufous to chestnut back, rump, and flanks, which beautifully offset its pale greyish-white underparts. Its tiny, pointed, conical bill is p...
Found primarily in dry savanna woodlands, acacia scrub, miombo woodlands, and open bushveld, typically at low to moderate elevations below 2,000 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small insects, larvae, spiders, and caterpillars, supplemented by some small seeds and occasional nectar from acacia flowers, actively gleaned from foliage.
Grey Penduline Tits are highly active, diurnal birds, often encountered in small family groups or as part of larger, energetic mixed-species flocks, particularly outside the breeding season. They are acrobatic foragers, meticulously gleaning insects from foliage, branches, and bark, often hanging...
The Grey Penduline Tit is a widespread resident across much of sub-Saharan Africa, with its extensive distribution spanning from Angola eastwards through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, south to Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia...
Least Concern
- The Grey Penduline Tit’s nest is an engineering marvel, a soft, felt-like pouch suspended from a branch, often described as a 'sock' or 'purse'. - The entrance to their elaborate nest is typically a small, tubular antechamber that can be temporarily sealed by the birds, likely as a defense agai...