Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the small bird, the “Tit”. In Japan, we often see these birds in gardens and parks, but did you know that the same species exists in Europe as well? However, there’s a slight difference.
Firstly, the European tits have vivid yellow bellies. This is because the subspecies found in Europe is the “nominate subspecies” known as “Parus major major”. On the other hand, the subspecies found in Japan is “Parus major minor”, which has a different belly color. This color difference is due to the differences in the subspecies!
In Japan, the local tits are generally referred to as “Japanese Tits,” and there are several subspecies like the Amami Tit and the Okinawa Tit within Japan. In contrast, the European Tits are widely distributed across Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, living in forested areas. These European Tits do not migrate except during severe winters.
Interestingly, European Tits have been reclassified as a separate species based on DNA research. They are considered different from the South Asian Cinereous Tit and the East Asian Tits.
This shows that even though birds may look similar, they can be different subspecies or inhabit different regions, which is a fascinating aspect of the avian world. Imagining the different lives led by the tits of Japan and Europe in their respective regions is quite intriguing!
