Rufous-bellied Tit Parus rufiventris diligensHabitat: Well developed Broadleaved woodland with large tall trees.
Distribution: Northern Namibia & Caprivi. We have seen them around Rundu-Namibia and in very high Miombo (Brachystegia)-Zambia.
Male & Female alike:
Head & throat - black
Back and upper breast - grey
Tail – black with white edges
Wings – black with primaries edged white
From Upper breast to belly,
vent and flanks- rich rufous.
Eyes – pale to deep yellow.
This is a difficult species to find if you are not in the right habitat as they prefer the higher trees. They have the same distinct "churr" call as the other tits and it's much easier to find the bird if you follow the call.
Cinnamon-breasted Tit Parus rufiventris pallideventris differs from
diligens:
Underparts- very pale instead of the rich rufous.
Eyes- dark
Range – Miombo woodland of Eastern Zimbabwe. I've seen them outside Mutare.