Systematics
Most authorities retain Poecile as a subgenus within the genus Parus, but the American Ornithologists' Union treats it as a distinct genus. This is supported by mtDNA cytochrome b sequence analysis; within Poecile, the Marsh Tit is part of a group of Eurasian 'typical chickadees' that includes also the Willow Tit, Père David's Tit, Black-bibbed Tit, and the Songar Tit.
The scientific name is derived from the Greek poikolos, meaning 'spotted', and Latin palus, meaning 'marsh'. The number of subspecies recognised varies between authorities. Some, such as The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World list eight worldwide; The Handbook of the Birds of the World lists 11:
- P. p. dresseri, found in central & S England, Wales and W France. Still present in the far south-east of Scotland but in small numbers. Slightly smaller than palustris and more brown or olive-coloured on upperparts and dirtier below. Pale brown tertial fringes can sometimes cause confusion with Willow Tit
- P. p. palustris, N & C Europe, from S Scandinavia S to N Iberia, E to central Poland, W Balkans and Greece
- P. p. italicus, French Alps, Italy and Sicily. As dresseri, but more rufous on upperparts and paler on underparts
- P. p. stagnatilis, E Europe E to S Urals and NW Turkey
- P. p. kabardensis, Caucasus and NE Turkey.
- P. p. brevirostris, S central & SE Siberia, N Mongolia, NE China and N Korea
- P. p. jeholicus, NE China
- P. p. hellmayri, E China and S Korea.
- P. p. ernsti, Sakhalin Island
- P. p. hensoni, S Kuril Islands and Hokkaido, Japan
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