Ishigaki tit

　The Japanese tit is found throughout Japan, but the Japanese tit distributed on the outlying islands are divided into three subspecies: the Amami tit, the Okinawa tit and the Ishigaki tit. The two subspecies of Amami and Okinawa are almost indistinguishable in appearance from the mainland subspecies, but only the Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands’ Ishigaki tits are clearly different. It is generally a blackish grey colour and the yellowish green back characteristic of the tits is completely absent. A blackened tit was previously found in Eastern Japan, but although the head was completely black, the yellow-green back was still present.

　Tits are widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia, but recent DNA studies suggest that those from Europe, South and East Asia are distinct species. They are also thought to recognise words, making them a familiar but still enigmatic little bird.