It is found in mid-southern China and sporadically in Myanmar.

It was formerly considered conspecific with the rufous-fronted tit (A. iouschistos) of the central and eastern Himalayas but is now often regarded as a separate species.

Sometimes the subspecies A. b. sharpei (Burmese tit) of western Burma is also treated as a species.

It has grey upperparts, rufous breast and flanks and a white belly.

The head is buff with a broad black mask, white forehead and a white bib, speckled black in the centre.