Tits and Chickadees (Paridae)

Elegant Tit (Periparus elegans) - HBW 12, p. 724

French: Mésange élégante German: Panthermeise Spanish: Carbonero Elegante

Taxonomy: Parus elegans Lesson, 1831, Manila, Luzon, Philippines.
Until recently present genus normally subsumed into a broad Parus, and many authors still prefer that treatment. Alternatively, has been combined with P. venustulus and P. amabilis in a separate genus, Pardaliparus, and may form a superspecies with these two. Described race panayensis (from Panay) possibly merits recognition; tentatively included in nominate, although bird forms from Panay are normally closest to Negros forms; further research required. Nine subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

edithae ( McGregor, 1907) - extreme N Philippine Is (Calayan, Camiguin Norte).
montigenus ( Hachisuka, 1930) - NW Luzon, in N Philippines.
gilliardi ( Parkes, 1958) - Bataan Peninsula, in WC Luzon.

See all 9 subspecies

edithae ( McGregor, 1907) - extreme N Philippine Is (Calayan, Camiguin Norte).
montigenus ( Hachisuka, 1930) - NW Luzon, in N Philippines.
gilliardi ( Parkes, 1958) - Bataan Peninsula, in WC Luzon.
elegans ( Lesson, 1831) - EC & S Luzon, Mindoro, Catanduanes and Panay.
albescens ( McGregor, 1907) - C Philippines (Ticao, Masbate, Guimaras, Negros).
visayanus ( Hachisuka, 1930) - Cebu, in SC Philippines.
mindanensis ( Mearns, 1905) - EC & S Philippines (Samar, Leyte, Mindanao).
suluensis ( Mearns, 1916) - Sulu Archipelago (except Bongao).
bongaoensis ( Parkes, 1958) - Bongao I, in W Sulu Archipelago.