The elegant tit (Pardaliparus elegans) is a species of bird in the tit family Paridae endemic to the Philippines.

Elegant tit
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paridae
Genus: Pardaliparus
Species:
P. elegans
Binomial name
Pardaliparus elegans
(Lesson, 1831)
Map showing range of Periparus in The Philippines
Range of Periparus in The Philippines
Synonyms

Parus elegans

Taxonomy edit

The species was formerly included in the much larger genus Parus but was moved to Pardaliparus with the yellow-bellied tit and the Palawan tit when Parus was split into several resurrected genera following the publication of a detailed molecular phylogenetic analysis in 2013.[2][3]

 
Feeding on a Tussock moth caterpillar in Baguio, Philippines

Description edit

Small, sexes similar, with 9 races differing by shading and the amount and location of the white or yellow spotting in the wings and black; male top of head, throat, and upper breast glossy blue black; nape black with yellow spot; mantle black with white spots; lower back yellowish grey; tail black feathers edged white on basal 1/2 and second; primaries edged white; face, lower breast, and belly yellow. female is duller. imm resembles ad; has yellowish throat and blackish moustachial streaks. Bill black sometimes with gray at base in ad, yellowish to yellow orange with top and bottom horn in inn; eye dark brown; legs gray.

Distribution and habitat edit

It is endemic to the Philippines, ranging across most of the islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.

References edit

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Pardaliparus elegans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22711800A94308825. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22711800A94308825.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Johansson, U.S.; Ekman, J.; Bowie, R.C.K.; Halvarsson, P.; Ohlson, J.I.; Price, T.D.; Ericson, P.G.P. (2013). "A complete multilocus species phylogeny of the tits and chickadees (Aves: Paridae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 69 (3): 852–860. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.06.019. PMID 23831453.
  3. ^ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Waxwings and their allies, tits & penduline tits". World Bird List Version 6.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 15 February 2016.