Taiwanese wildlife photographer Chen Chengguang, who specializes in bird photography, has captured these birdies in ways that really do them justice. The fluffy and colored plumage is so clear in Chengguang's images, you can't help but imagine what it would be like to pet these adorable critters.

The black-throated bushtit (Aegithalos concinnus) has a considerable racial variation in the plumage, but all subspecies have a medium length tail (as opposed to the long tail of the related long-tailed tit), a black throat and a black 'bandit mask' around the eye.

The bird's habitat ranges from the foothills of the Himalayas, stretching across northern India through north-eastern Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Disjunct populations also have been spotted in southern Vietnam, the island of Hainan and further north in China up to the Yellow River.

The black-throated bushtit usually lives in open broadleaf forest as well as pine forest, generally occurring in middle altitudes. It is highly social and is known to travel in large flocks up to 40 birds. The black-throated bushtit eats insects as well as small seeds and fruits. It really likes raspberries.

The species has six currently recognised subspecies, and several others have been suggested. Genetic studies have suggested that these subspecies may represent separate species, but further research is needed.

The black-throated bushtit is a small passerine, around 10.5 cm long and weighing 4-9 g. There is considerable racial variation in the plumage, but all subspecies have a medium length tail (as opposed to the long tail of the related long-tailed tit), a black throat and a black 'bandit mask' around the eye. The nominate race has a chestnut cap, breast band and flanks and dark grey back, wings and tail, and a white belly. The other subspecies have generally the same pattern (minus the chest band) but with grey caps or all grey bellies and flanks.

It ranges from the foothills of the Himalayas, stretching across northern India through Nepal, Bhutan, northern Burma, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Disjunct populations also occur in southern Vietnam and the island of Hainan. It lives in open broadleaf forest as well as pine forest, generally occurring in middle altitudes.

The nest is constructed out of moss and lichen and hangs from the branches of trees. The species feeds on small insects and spiders, as well as small seeds, fruits and berries (particularly raspberries). Group numbers swell during the non-breeding season, but smaller groups exist year round. These groups will often join mixed-species feeding flocks. All images credit: Instagram-Image credits: joinus12345 Source: thainationalparks