The aptly named Elegant Tit

Ranging in most major Philippine islands (except in Palawan and Bohol), this endemic bird is not very difficult to find in forest and edge at various elevations.

But it’s quite small (113 mm total length) and very active, hence a tough customer to photograph well. Likewise, its contrasting plumage presents a daunting exposure challenge.

This bird doesn’t only look elegantly good, its song and call are very pleasing to the ears as well.

After trying for years to get a good capture, I finally got close to this bird at Mt. Data, with sweet late afternoon sunlight as bonus.

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Elegant Tit (Parus elegans, a Philippine endemic)

Habitat – Common from lowland to montane mossy forest.

Shooting Info – Elev. 2195 m ASL, Mt. Data, Mountain Province, Philippines, January 21, 2010, Canon 7D + EF 500 f4 IS + Canon 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/5.6, ISO 400, 1/160 sec, 475B/3421 support, manual exposure in available light.