Trochocercus Explained

Trochocercus is a genus of bird in the family Monarchidae. Described by Jean Cabanis in 1850, the name Trochocercus is a combination of the Greek words trokhos meaning "circular" or "round" and kerkos, meaning "tail".

Taxonomy and systematics

Extant species

After three former species were transferred to the genus Elminia in 2009, the genus Trochocercus now contains the following two remaining species:^[1]

Image	Scientific name	Common Name	Distribution
	Trochocercus cyanomelas		south-eastern Africa
	Trochocercus nitens	Blue-headed crested flycatcher	African tropical rainforest

Former species

Formerly, some authorities also considered the following species (or subspecies) as species within the genus Trochocercus:

• Bedford's paradise flycatcher (as Trochocercus bedfordi)^[2]
• Dusky crested flycatcher (as Trochocercus nigromitratus)^[3]
• White-bellied crested flycatcher (as Trochocercus albiventris)^[4]
• White-tailed crested flycatcher (as Trochocercus albicaudatus or Trochocercus albonotata)^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Taxonomy Version 2 « IOC World Bird List. www.worldbirdnames.org. 2016-10-23.
2. Web site: Terpsiphone bedfordi - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2017-01-07.
3. Web site: Elminia nigromitrata - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2017-01-07.
4. Web site: Elminia albiventris - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2017-01-07.
5. Web site: Elminia albonotata - Avibase. avibase.bsc-eoc.org. 2017-01-07.