| Palawan tit | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Paridae |
| Genus: | Pardaliparus |
| Species: | P. amabilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pardaliparus amabilis (Sharpe, 1877) | |
| Synonyms | |
Parus amabilis | |
ThePalawan tit (Pardaliparus amabilis) is a species ofbird in thetitfamily Paridae.
It isendemic toPalawan and the smaller islands ofCalauit andBalabac in thePhilippines. Within its range it is found inlowlandforest habitats, includingsecondary forests, forest edge, swamps as well as submontane forest. It is declining due to habitat loss.
It is described onEBird as " A small bird of wooded areas on Palawan and neighboring islands, with a full black hood, yellow underparts, a black wing with two white wing-bars and edges, and a black tail with a white tip and outer tail feathers. Back is bright yellow in males and olive in females. Somewhat similar to male Common Iora, but Palawan Tit also has a black rather than yellow throat. Voice includes an up-and-down whistled song, a high-pitched tinkling trill, and a nasal rasp."[2]
The male Palawan tit has a black head, throat and neck, a yellow back, belly and breast, and pied black and white wings and tail. The female exhibits limitedsexual dimorphism, having an olive back, but is otherwise similar to the male.
This species is monotypic and has no subspecies.
It has been observed feeding on invertebrates, fruit and seeds but otherwise diet is largely unknown. Forages in the cannopy to the middle level of trees.Seen alone, in pairs, small groups and also joins mixed-species flocks. Birds with enlarged gonads collected in May but not much else is known about its breeding habits.[3]
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The species inhabits tropical moist lowlandprimary forest and secondary forest up to 800 meters above sea level.[4]
It is assessed asnear threatened under theIUCN with populations believed to be decreasing due to habitat loss and deforestation. The whole ofPalawan was designated as a Biosphere Reserve; however, protection and enforcement of laws has been difficult and these threats still continue. It occurs in just one protected area inPuerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.[5]
