Western Scrub Jay split(s) (1 Viewer)

[Mysticete]

In the same issue of the AUK that has the recent Lillian's Meadowlark split, is also a paper suggesting the Western Scrub Jay be split into 2 or 3 species: a coastal species (California), interior (Woodhouse's), and possibly a southern Mexico species (Sumichrast's).

http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/auk.2008.07088

This is another one of those "expected splits" US birders have been aware of for awhile, and I think another case where DNA barcoding suggested different species, at least for the coastal vs interior population.

Downside is that they used only one gene, and I suspect it will never pass the AOU checklist standards without more genes and study of contact zones in Nevada

 

[Richard Klim]

AOU earlier recognised Aphelocoma woodhouseii but it was lumped with A californica from the Check-list 4th Edition (1931).

Richard

 

[Daniel Philippe]

The wiki page is rather good:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Scrub-Jay

 

[fugl]

In the same issue of the AUK that has the recent Lillian's Meadowlark split, is also a paper suggesting the Western Scrub Jay be split into 2 or 3 species: a coastal species (California), interior (Woodhouse's), and possibly a southern Mexico species (Sumichrast's).

http://caliber.ucpress.net/doi/abs/10.1525/auk.2008.07088

This is another one of those "expected splits" US birders have been aware of for awhile, and I think another case where DNA barcoding suggested different species, at least for the coastal vs interior population.

Downside is that they used only one gene, and I suspect it will never pass the AOU checklist standards without more genes and study of contact zones in Nevada

Interesting article. If the analysis isn't contradicted by new evidence, I guess there are only 2 options: split along the lines suggested, or lump with the Island Scrub-jay. We live in exciting times.

 

[Xenospiza]

Interesting article. If the analysis isn't contradicted by new evidence, I guess there are only 2 options: split along the lines suggested, or lump with the Island Scrub-jay. We live in exciting times.

I think I'll still go to Santa Cruz Island (in just a week!) just in case...

 

[Richard Klim]

I think I'll still go to Santa Cruz Island (in just a week!) just in case...

If you're planning to take one of the standard Island Packers day trips to Santa Cruz Island from Ventura Harbor, be sure to visit Prisoners' Harbor rather than Scorpion Anchorage. The former has much more vegetation and consequently better birding.

Richard