Sepik-Ramu shrikethrush explained

The Sepik-Ramu shrikethrush (Colluricincla tappenbecki) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae.

Taxonomy and systematics

This species was formerly considered a conspecific member of the little shrikethrush complex. Genetic investigations of New Guinea populations of the little shrikethrush indicate high levels of genetic divergence, suggesting it comprised more than one species.^[1]

Subspecies

Currently, three subspecies are recognized:^[2]

• C. t. tappenbecki - Reichenow, 1898: Originally described as a separate species. Found in north-central New Guinea to Astrolabe Bay (north-eastern New Guinea)
• C. t. madaraszi - (Rothschild & Hartert, 1903): Found on Huon Peninsula, New Guinea
• C. t. maeandrina - (Stresemann, 1921): Found in east-central New Guinea

Distribution and habitat

It is found in New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Notes and References

1. Deiner, Kristy . Lemmon, Alan R. . Mack, Andrew L. . Fleischer, Robert C. . Dumbacher, John P. . 2011. A Passerine Bird's Evolution Corroborates the Geologic History of the Island of New Guinea. PLOS ONE. 6. 5. e19479. 10.1371/journal.pone.0019479 . 21573115 . 3089620 . 2011PLoSO...619479D . free .
2. IOC World Bird List 6.3. IOC World Bird List Datasets. 10.14344/ioc.ml.6.3. subscription. free.