Fiji whistler explained
The Fiji whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae, endemic to Fiji.
Taxonomy and systematics
It was variably considered a subspecies of a widespread golden whistler (P. pectoralis).[1] [2] Three of the subspecies (P. v. kandavensis, lauana, and vitiensis) of the former white-throated whistler (P. v. kandavensis, lauana, and vitiensis) were lumped with the Fiji whistler in 2014 by the IOC.[3] The Temotu whistler was formerly considered conspecific with the Fiji whistler.
Subspecies
Ten subspecies are recognized:[4]
- P. v. kandavensis - Ramsay, 1876: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Kadavu
- P. v. lauana - Mayr, 1932: Found in southern Lau Islands
- P. v. vitiensis - Gray, G.R. 1860: Found on Gau Island
- P. v. bella - Mayr, 1932: Found on Vatu Vara
- P. v. koroana - Mayr, 1932: Found on Koro Island
- Taveuni whistler (P. v. torquata), or Taveuni Island golden whistler - Layard, EL, 1875: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Taveuni Island
- P. v. aurantiiventris - Seebohm, 1891: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Yanganga and Vanua Levu P. v. ambigua - Mayr, 1932: Found on southeast Vanua Levu, Rabi, and Kioa P. v. optata - Hartlaub, 1866: Originally described as a separate species. Found on south-eastern Viti Levu and Ovalau P. v. graeffii - Hartlaub, 1866: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Waya and Viti Levu
Description
Some of the subspecies of the Fiji whistler are yellow-throated, while others are white-throated.[1] It has been speculated that these two groups are the result of separate waves of colonisations, with the yellow-throated being the result of an early colonisation, and the white-throated the result of a secondary colonisation.[1] The yellow-throated are found on most northern and central islands (Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, Taveuni, Ovalau, Kioa, Rabi, Koro and Vatu Vara), while the white-throated are found on some southern islands (Kadavu, Gau and southern Lau Islands.[1]
Vocalisations
Notes and References
- Boles, W. E. (2007). Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis). pp. 421–423 in: del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie, D. eds (2007). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 12: Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
- http://worldbirdnames.org IOC World Bird List, version 1.7
- IOC World Bird List 4.4. IOC World Bird List Datasets. 10.14344/ioc.ml.4.4. free.
- IOC World Bird List 6.3. IOC World Bird List Datasets. 10.14344/ioc.ml.6.3. free.
