Lynx-BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist (7 Viewers)

[lewis20126]

H. negreti is no split. It was described as new species in 2003. See HBW alive
and HBW 10.

did not list it as a split but called them all ultracryptic

cheers, a

 

[Mysticete]

I only quickly scanned through the ABA area relevant birds.

The expected splits of Savannah and Fox Sparrow were there, as was Yellow-rumped Warbler splits. The latter two are accepted by IOC but not AOU, but the Savannah Sparrow split has been frequently argued for. The most surprising were split's of Swainson's Thrush (into Swainson's (blegh) and Russet-backed) and a split of the Old World versus New World Great Gray/Grey Shrike.

However this list is surprisingly conservative (I was expected far greater revision based on the non-passerine update), and seems incredibly inconsistent. For instance Northwestern Crow is listed but Island/Woodhouse's/California Scrub-Jays are all treated as a single taxon. Similarly, Bahama Nuthatch is listed but non of the proposed White-breasted Nuthatch splits are recognized. Certainly there is far more morphological/behavioral/genetic evidence for splitting Western Scrub-jays than there is for keeping Northwestern Crow around.

It also seems to be behind the curve on other issues as well. The stonechat example was already listed, but even though Varied Tit is split the Great Tit isn't, although I think the latter complex probably contains as much distinctions as the former. Also some other weirdness....Cettiidae is merged with Scotocercidae, and American Treecreeper is the common name of Brown Creeper, despite the fact that I have never remotely seen that name used.

Overall not terribly impressed.

 

[Melanie]

Sylvietta chapini is making a come back. Not in the Red List since 2007.

 

[Markus Lagerqvist]

L. phoenicuroides now recognised by all the global taxonomies? (In contrast, in W Europe, still a Dutch-only split, I think...)

Not just the Dutch, L. phoenicuroides is also recognized by the Swedish Taxonomic Committee.

 

[lewis20126]

ABA area

I only quickly scanned through the ABA area relevant birds.

The expected splits of Savannah and Fox Sparrow were there, as was Yellow-rumped Warbler splits. The latter two are accepted by IOC but not AOU, but the Savannah Sparrow split has been frequently argued for. The most surprising were split's of Swainson's Thrush (into Swainson's (blegh) and Russet-backed) and a split of the Old World versus New World Great Gray/Grey Shrike.

However this list is surprisingly conservative (I was expected far greater revision based on the non-passerine update), and seems incredibly inconsistent. For instance Northwestern Crow is listed but Island/Woodhouse's/California Scrub-Jays are all treated as a single taxon. Similarly, Bahama Nuthatch is listed but non of the proposed White-breasted Nuthatch splits are recognized. Certainly there is far more morphological/behavioral/genetic evidence for splitting Western Scrub-jays than there is for keeping Northwestern Crow around.

It also seems to be behind the curve on other issues as well. The stonechat example was already listed, but even though Varied Tit is split the Great Tit isn't, although I think the latter complex probably contains as much distinctions as the former. Also some other weirdness....Cettiidae is merged with Scotocercidae, and American Treecreeper is the common name of Brown Creeper, despite the fact that I have never remotely seen that name used.

Overall not terribly impressed.

Incredible that Northwestern Crow has been retained - especially under Tobias et al. I'm struggling to see how it can muster a single point cf American Crow, even on vocals after the work of Andrew Spencer and others on xeno-canto.

The rationale for Russet-backed Thrush (cf Swainson's) will be another interesting read - is this the first checklist to include it as a species?

I've no idea what is going on with Nuthatches, with two possibly extreme additions globally (Bahama, Siberian) cf failure to recognise the White-breasted Nuthatch splits. I can see how the latter would fail Tobias et al., but not how the former achieve the required total.

cheers, alan

 

[l_raty]

Not just the Dutch, L. phoenicuroides is also recognized by the Swedish Taxonomic Committee.

Oh, yes, true - I had forgotten about this.
[Vår Fågelvärld 2.2014:36-37]

(Citing genetic differences that I would love to see.)

 

[lewis20126]

Wing-banded Antbird

Southern Wing-banded Antbird Myrmornis torquata
Northern Wing-banded Antbird Myrmornis stictoptera

split. I don't think this is a surprise - is there a SACC proposal? Probably OK on Tobias et al. and more traditional methods!

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Russet Antshrike

Western Russet Antshrike Thamnistes anabatinus
Eastern Russet Antshrike Thamnistes aequatorialis

split, new to me and look forward to reading the rationale.

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Táchira Antpitta

Tachira Antpitta Grallaria chthonia
Scaled Antpitta Grallaria guatimalensis

Still there - interesting to read how it gets 7 points cf other Scaled taxa; it doesn't look amazingly convincing in plates, but perhaps distinctive in the drawer.

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Tawny Antpitta

Western Tawny Antpitta Grallaria quitensis
Northern Tawny Antpitta Grallaria alticola
Southern Tawny Antpitta Grallaria atuensis

3 way split. Looking forward to reading this one.

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Spotted Antpitta group

Spotted Antpitta Hylopezus macularius

yes, just the one, contra all recent checklists I think; there are almost certainly 4 species on more traditional criteria. I guess vocals in sub-oscines aren't as important as I thought!

cheers, alan

 

[lewis20126]

Scytalopus

No changes that I can spot by eye cf recent major checklists, and aligned with SACC I think. How can any Scytalopus achieve 7 points cf nearest relative? Interesting to see if the team has had a genuine go at applying the criteria or just given up.

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Long-tailed Woodcreeper

Little Long-tailed Woodcreeper Deconychura typica
Northern Long-tailed Woodcreeper Deconychura longicauda
Southern Long-tailed Woodcreeper Deconychura pallida

3 way split, interesting to see the ranges - quiet likely to be OK for SACC as well perhaps, if vocals are ok?

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Olivaceous Woodcreeper

Western Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseus
Eastern Olivaceous Woodcreeper Sittasomus griseicapillus

split, long anticipated break up of this group on more traditional criteria, will presumably go further?

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Striped Manakin

Western Striped Manakin Machaeropterus striolatus
Eastern Striped Manakin Machaeropterus regulus

Back here as two species, contra Clements /Cornell at least

cheers, a

 

[Nutcracker]

Oh, yes, true - I had forgotten about this.
[Vår Fågelvärld 2.2014:36-37]

(Citing genetic differences that I would love to see.)

Which reference is it you want to see, in case I've got a copy I can send?

 

[lewis20126]

Green Manakin

Choco Manakin Cryptopipo litae
Green Manakin Cryptopipo holochlora

split, long mooted under traditional criteria, although I would have thought vocals important (never heard the western bird) and not sure how 7 points achieved for under Tobias et al? Perhaps they look good in the drawer.

cheers, alan

 

[lewis20126]

Swallow-tailed Cotinga

Swallow-tailed Cotinga Phibalura flavirostris
Apolo Cotinga Phibalura boliviana

Split and contra SACC? Another English name for the rather thin 'Palkachupa Cotinga'. Again be interesting to read this one.

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Royal Flycatcher

Northern Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus mexicanus
Pacific Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus occidentalis
Amazonian Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus coronatus
Atlantic Royal Flycatcher Onychorhynchus swainsoni

Maximum split, Clements / Cornell currently at 3 I think, Atlantic usually lost in Amazonian.

cheers, a

 

[lewis20126]

Black-tailed Tityra

Western Black-tailed Tityra Tityra cayana
Eastern Black-tailed Tityra Tityra braziliensis

split, no idea

cheers, a