Elegant tit
| Elegant tit | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Paridae |
| Genus: | Periparus |
| Species: | P. elegans |
| Binomial name | |
| Periparus elegans Lesson, 1831 | |
 | |
| Range of Periparus in The Philippines | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Pardaliparus elegans | |
The elegant tit (Periparus elegans) is a species of bird in the tit family Paridae that is endemic to the Philippines.
Taxonomy
The species was formerly included in the much larger genus Parus, and some authorities have suggested that along with the closely related Palawan tit and yellow-bellied tit it should be placed in a new genus, Pardaliparus. The species has nine recognised subspecies, one of which, the race P. e. panayensis from Panay, is potentially a separate species.
Description
The elegant tit resembles the Palawan tit, having a black head and neck, and a yellow belly, breast. The wings are pied black and white, as is the back of the male, that of the female is olive. The species varies from the Palawan tit in having a yellow cheek and a yellow line on the back of the head.
Distribution and habitat
It is endemic to the Philippines, ranging across most of the islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
References
- BirdLife International 2004. Parus elegans. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 26 July 2007.
- Gosler, A. & P. Clement (2007) "Family Paridae (Tits and Chickadees)" P.p. 662-709. in del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-84-96553-42-2