From Opus

(Sub)species erythrophthalmus
Photo by Luiz
Location: Serrinha do Alambari, Resende, RJ

Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus

[edit] Identification

Deep rufous crown and rufous outer tail feathers. The form erythrophthalmus has the whole tail rufous, orange throat patch that just includes upper breast, and orange iris. The form ferrugineigula have brownish-olive central tail feathers, orange (with rufous tinge) on entire throat and breast (but not belly), and chestnut to dark red iris that are difficult to see in most natural viewing conditions.

[edit] Distribution

Brazil and Uruguay.

[edit] Taxonomy

Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus has two subspecies:

• P. e. erythrophthalmus

• Coastal eastern Brazil (southern Bahia to São Paulo)

• P. e. ferrugineigula

• Coastal south-eastern Brazil (São Paulo to southern Rio Grande do Sul)

The AOU has accepted a proposal to split Red-eyed Thornbird into two separate species, and subsequently agreed on new names: P. erythrophthalmus should become Orange-eyed Thornbird and P. ferrugineigula becomes Orange-breasted Thornbird^[2]. Opus is not following yet, not until a sufficient number of checklist have changed to this interpretation.

[edit] Habitat

Dense shrubs in woodland or around marshland. Generally (but with exceptions) the form ferrugineigula is more often found in marshes.

[edit] Behaviour

Both forms are "skulkers" staying buried in dense vegetation. The voices differ among the two forms.

[edit] References

1. Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
2. Birdforum discussion thread detailing the taxonomy of this species.

• List of references

[edit] External Links