The Sultan Tit (Melanochlora Sultanea)

The **Sultan Tit** (*Melanochlora sultanea*) is an Asian forest bird with the following features:

– **Size**: Approximately 17 cm long.
– **Crest**: Brilliant yellow crest on the forehead and crown.
– **Plumage**:
– **Upperparts**: Black with a green gloss.
– **Underparts**: Deep yellow.
– **Throat**: Yellowish.
– **Wings and Tail**: Dull black.
– **Sexual Dimorphism**: The sexes are similar, but the female has duller yellow parts.
– **Young Birds**: Duller than adults, with a shorter crest.
– **Foraging**: They forage mainly on insects and occasionally feed on figs.
– **Calls**: Loud, with short, repeated, and variable whistling notes.
– **Flight**: Slow and fluttery.
– **Physical Measurements**:
– Length: About 8 inches.
– Tail: 3.8 inches.
– Wing: 4.4 inches.
– Tarsus: 0.95 inches.
– Bill: 0.75 inches from the gape.
– Body Mass: 35 to 49 g (1.2 to 1.7 oz) ¹²³⁴.

The Sultan Tit is the only member of the monotypic genus *Melanochlora*, distinct from the Parus tits, with its closest relative being the monotypic Sylviparus. Its recumbent crest is raised when the bird is alert or alarmed. 🐦🌿