Hume's Ground Tit(Pseudopodoces humilis), previously known as Hume's Ground Jay, is a lark-like bird.
This species has only recently been removed, on the basis of DNA analysis, from the
Description
It is similar in shape to the (unrelated) genus Podoces but is much smaller, about the size of a
If chased, it will bolt straight down the nearest hole (very un-birdlike behaviour) until the danger has passed, usually caused by a bird of prey.
Distribution
It occurs from north western Szechuan province in China westwards to Tibet in open, grass steppe type country or sometimes arid regions with small scattered shrubs. It avoids anywhere that has dense vegetation, especially trees.
Diet / Feeding
Food is obtained on the ground and includes a wide range of insect prey often obtained by probing wild Yak dung and turning it over to flush them out. It peers into rock crevices and into holes in the ground also in its search for food.
Nesting / Breeding
The nest is also unusual in being in a tunnel which the bird(s) excavate themselves. It is usually dug horizontally into a bank or wall of earth and can reach a depth of up to 1.8 metres. The nest is placed at the end of this in a small chamber and consists usually of just wool placed onto a grass base. The 4–6 eggs are pure white and the young stay with their parents for some time after fledging.
Calls / Vocalizations
The voice is described as a plaintive whistling, cheep-cheep-cheep-cheep and it also has a two syllable Finch-like call.
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