Varied Tit splits
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![This Varied Tit, photographed on mainland Japan, will retain its name in the new revision. Photo: Alpsdake (commons.wikimedia.org). This Varied Tit, photographed on mainland Japan, will retain its name in the new revision. Photo: Alpsdake (commons.wikimedia.org).](https://www.birdguides-cdn.com/cdn/LegacyBirdwatchArticles/thisvariedtitphotogra.jpg?&width=640&height=480&bgcolor=ffffff&mode=crop&scale=canvas&format=webp&webp.quality=85)
A taxonomic revision of the Varied Tit complex in eastern Asia will recommend the recognition of four species, and suggest new English names: the widely distributed Varied Tit Parus varius (including the subspecies amamii, namiyei, orii, sunsunpi and yakushimensis); Chestnut-bellied Tit P casteneoventris (Taiwan); Owston’s Tit P owstoni (southern Izu Islands); and Iriomote Tit P olivaceus (Iriomote). The decision is based on plumage, morphometric and DNA analyses.
Reference
BirdForum taxonomy thread.