Kalinowski's Tinamou not a valid species

[Hidde Bruinsma]

A recent study done by Niels Krabbe and Thomas Schulenberg has shown that the Kalinowski's Tinamou, known from very few specimens, is merely a slightly aberrant exemple of the Ornate Tinamou (Nothoprocta ornata branickii). The latest so called extremely rare bird debunked by taxonomical research.

[Tim Allwood]

at least there won't be many people unticking it...!

[Hidde Bruinsma]

Just one, Tim. His name is G.Engblom and he saw the bird (at least that's what he thought) in May 2000 near Tulpo. He even collected a feather. Poor guy.

[James Lowther]

I had one on my feeders the other day

[Rasmus Boegh]

Just one, Tim. His name is G.Engblom and he saw the bird (at least that's what he thought) in May 2000 near Tulpo. He even collected a feather. Poor guy.

Actually, he saw it with a group... and, as the taxonomic problems with this "species" have been known for some time among Peruvian ornithologists/birders (I probably became aware of it one or two years ago), it won't come as a surprise to him...

[Tim Allwood]

I sure Gunnar can live with it...

a real character...!

Tim

[Rasmus Boegh]

I sure Gunnar can live with it...

I am fairly sure you're right. After all - he's seen more than 1500 species... in Peru alone!

[Amazonas_Alex]

"In short, they re-examined the type specimen (collected "en route" from Pauza to Cuzco, in dep. Apurimac) in Poland, and found that it was collected within the southern range of N. ornata branickii, and that the type specimen fall well within the variability of that subspecies, making kalinowskii a junior synonym of Nothoprocta ornata branickii.

Another question arises with the other two "known" specimens of kalinowskii, form La Libertad, redder than (and never compared with) the "type", and curiously similar to other specimens in the northern range of N. o. branickii. So they conclude about this northern variability of N. o. branickii as follows (p. 259):

"... On the basis of just two specimens and in view of the variability of other populations we consider the difference to be no more than trivial variation, but admit that the collection of a larger series might demonstrate the La Libertad population to be worthy of recognition as a subspecies of Nothoprocta ornata."


From Krabbe, N. & T. S. Schulenberg (2005): A mystery solved: the identity and distribution of Kalinowski's Tinamou Nothoprocta kalinowskii. Bull. B.O.C. 2005 125(4). p. 253-260.


Could this mean that the two specimens that exist of the "Kalinowski's Tinamou" infact represent two different subspecies? and one which might even represent a new subspecies?

[Hidde Bruinsma]

Hi Alex,

There is indeed a slight possibility that the two northern specimens represent an undescribed subspecies of N. ornata. But this is only the case when a larger series from that part of the range show consistent and abrupt differences in colour and pattern compared to birds from the nearest populations of N. ornata branickii. If these populations and all the others continuing to the southern tip of the range show a gradual difference in colour and pattern then we're dealing with a clinal variation. This would mean that the northernmost birds belong to N. ornata branickii. Personally, after reading the article again, I'm quite convinced by the authors that the two northern specimens are nothing more than slightly different individuals of N. ornata branickii. But time may prove otherwise.

[jurek]

Here it goes. One of few birds named after Polish man. :C