Pygmy Bushtit

The Pygmy Bushtit, known scientifically as Aegithalos exilis, is a diminutive bird, the smallest member of the Aegithalidae family and indeed the tiniest of all passerines. It measures a mere 8.5 to 8.7 cm in length, a size that one might say is almost inconsequential.

Identification Tips

To identify this minuscule bird, one must look for its compact body and relatively short tail, which is quite distinctive when compared to the longer tails of its relatives. Its plumage is subtle, yet pleasing to the eye.

Habitat

The Pygmy Bushtit is a denizen of the montane forests and plantations of Java, Indonesia. It shows a preference for altitudes above 1,000 meters, though it can occasionally be found as low as 830 meters in the western parts of the island.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Java, Indonesia, where it flits among the conifers and other open forest types, often gracing the forest edge with its presence.

Behaviour

The Pygmy Bushtit is a creature of the highlands, and while its behavior has not been extensively documented, one might expect it to exhibit the typical bushtit characteristics of active foraging and sociability.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Pygmy Bushtit as Least Concern, indicating that, for now, this species does not face an immediate threat of extinction in the wild.