Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Siberian Tit -- Parus cinctus
(formerly Gray-headed Chickadee)


RANGE: Resident from northern Alaska east across northern Yukon to northwestern Mackenzie, and south locally to western and central Alaska.

STATUS: Uncommon.

HABITAT: Inhabits spruce, willow, aspen, and birch stands along rivers at the northern limit of the boreal forest. During winter, wanders widely through river valleys.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Natural cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes, or trees with soft, dead wood for nesting.

NEST: Builds nest inside an abandoned woodpecker hole or a natural cavity in a tree or stump; may excavate a cavity in trees with soft, dead wood.

FOOD: Eats adult, larvae, and eggs of insects in summer, and seeds of conifers and berries in winter.

REFERENCES: Bent 1946, Gibson in Farrand 1983b, Terres 1980.


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