Three subspecies are recognized:[2][3] It occurs chiefly in tropical and subtropical savanna woodland, in a semicircular arc from Angola to the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

[4] It prefers woodland dominated by broad-leaved trees, most importantly miombo, Combretum species, and Burkea africana.

[6] Like all tits, it feeds chiefly on insects, and is a voracious consumer of wasps in its favoured habitat; however, it has unusually for a parid been known to take nectar and fruiting figs.

[5] Breeding occurs during the summer wet season, but its initiation is very varied and the number of broods reared depends on the consistency of rainfall.

[8] As a result, most males must stay in the parental territory for several years to help rear the usually three nestlings that each breeding female produces under favourable conditions.