Sombre tit: Red Data Book of Armenia

Chickadees and titmice - Paridae

Status. A rare oligotopic species. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii); C1a(i).

Distribution. Spread from the Greek island of Lesbos eastwards to Asia Minor and the southern part of the South Caucasus, then southwards to Lebanon and Northern Iraq.

Distribution in Armenia. Occurs in juniper sparse forests of the Meghri district.

Habitats. Lives in juniper sparse forests and adjacent orchards.

Biological traits. Four to nine eggs are laid twice a year. Feeds mainly on insects.

Population size and its trends. According to recent estimates, the population numbers 250–350 pairs.

Major threats. The population has been affected by wild fires, which have become very common since recent times, and agricultural use of toxic chemicals.

Conservation measures. Protected in Arevik National Park. It is essential to establish a special firefighting squad in Arevik National Park, build its capacities and to raise public awareness about the danger of fires to wildlife and habitats in the Meghri district. It is also important to substitute the use of toxic chemicals with some environmentally friendly alternative approaches.