[AlexC]

Discussion thread for Cory's Shearwater. If you would like to add a comment, click the Post Reply button.

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Had a surprising little incident with the Calonectris shearwaters - pages were marked backwards! Cory's Shearwater - Calonectris diomedea - was marked borealis, and Scopoli's Shearwater - C. d. borealis (rarely considered to be a full species) - was marked diomedea! I fixed up info and redirected all pages to Cory's Shearwater.

[John Cantelo]

Originally Posted by AlexC

...... Scopoli's Shearwater - C. d. borealis (rarely considered to be a full species) .........

Not any more! There seems to be quite a 'push' in favour of splitting Cory's into three full species Scopoli's (Med.), Cape Verde (I think you can guess!) and Cory's (east Atlantic Islands other than the Verdes). An absolute nightmare for the list hungry seawatcher!

John

[AlexC]

Originally Posted by John Cantelo

Not any more! There seems to be quite a 'push' in favour of splitting Cory's into three full species Scopoli's (Med.), Cape Verde (I think you can guess!) and Cory's (east Atlantic Islands other than the Verdes). An absolute nightmare for the list hungry seawatcher!

John

Hahahaha, Cape Verde... I wonder who wants that to be a full species... *cough*cough* Virginia pelagic *cough*cough*.

As I mention in the other post, regardless of any "push", we follow the consensus of Clements and H&M, and where they disagree, we follow the status quo.

As of now, no authorities I could find (not Clements, not H&M, not S&M, etc.) support Scopoli's Shearwater being a full species, and the Opus falls in suit.

P.S. Cape Verde is recognized by the Opus - given full species status by Clements, S&M, AOU, IOC (not H&M), and SACC is awaiting a proposal for it.

[Steve Lister]

All three forms formerly lumped as Cory's can be distinguished in the field given good enough views of bill colour and structure and underwing pattern. It is only a matter of time (probably not too long) before all three are recognised as separate species.

Steve

[AlexC]

Originally Posted by Steve Lister

All three forms formerly lumped as Cory's can be distinguished in the field given good enough views of bill colour and structure and underwing pattern. It is only a matter of time (probably not too long) before all three are recognised as separate species.

Steve

One could use the field distinguishing argument for many, many subspecies.

If borealis is - in the future - recognized by the authorities we follow, it will be changed. As of now, it is not (while edwardsii is).

[John Cantelo]

I think distinguishing these three forms in the field will require exceptional field views and a degree of experience that relatively few birders (currently) possess. What this debate may reflect, though, is a dichotomy between field observers and museum workers. I don't think such casual dismissal of field experience as important source of information regarding taxonomic status is helpful. Particularly in seabirds where vocalisations and behaviour may have a very important role. However, the main (and simple) point I was trying to make was that the comment that Scopoli's Shearwater was "rarely considered to be a full species" no longer seems to be the case,
John