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Swallow-tailed Cotinga (1 Viewer)

Richard Klim

Richard Klim

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Hennessey 2011. Species rank of Phibalura (flavirostris) boliviana based on plumage, soft part color, vocalizations, and seasonal movements. Wilson J Ornithol: 123(3): 454-458. [abstract]

Ridgeley & Tudor 2009 (Birds of S America: Passerines) recognises Phibalura boliviana Palkachupa Cotinga, citing Bromfield et al 2004:
  • Bromfield, Ritchie, Bromfield, Ritchie & Hennessey 2004. New information on plumage, nesting, behaviour and vocalisations of the Bolivian Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris boliviana from the Apolo area of Madidi National Park, Bolivia. Cotinga 21: 63-67. [pdf]
Snow 2004 (HBW 9):
Geographically isolated race boliviana rather distinctive, may represent a separate species.
Click to expand...
 
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SACC: only four (Stiles, Robbins, Pacheco and Cadena) have voted. 2 "yes", one "no", and one mas amenos "don't know" (Robbins), who seemed more persuaded to vote "no" than "yes".

I've not seen boliviana in the field, but personally I find most of the arguments for species status (bare-parts coloration, seasonal movements or lack of them, geographical isolation, etc.) pathetically weak. Even, the relative lack of sexual dimorphism argument (which I've used myself once or twice in respect of other taxa in far-distant groups) isn't quite as strong, in my view, in this case.

Bennett might be right and his knowledge of boliviana is certainly far superior to mine, but on the other hand, in general, his knowledge of nominate flavirostris, in both the field and museum, is much weaker.

Needless to say, I didn't split them in Cotingas and Manakins.
 
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