Oriole whistler explained

The oriole whistler (Pachycephala orioloides), also known as the yellow-throated whistler (leading to easy confusion with Pachycephala macrorhyncha), is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae, which is endemic to the Solomon Islands (archipelago).

Taxonomy and systematics

It is variably considered a subspecies of a widespread golden whistler (P. pectoralis) or treated as a separate species, but strong published evidence in favour of either treatment is limited, and further study is warranted to resolve the complex taxonomic situation.^[1] Even if not recognized as a separate species, the oriole whistler includes several very different subspecies, though the males are united by their yellow throat.

Subspecies

Nine subspecies are recognized:^[2]

• P. o. bougainvillei - Mayr, 1932: Found on Buka, Bougainville and Shortland Islands
• P. o. orioloides - Pucheran, 1853: Found on Choiseul, Malakobi, Santa Isabel and Florida Islands
• P. o. centralis - Mayr, 1932: Found on eastern New Georgia Islands
• P. o. melanoptera - Mayr, 1932: Found on southern New Georgia Islands
  • • P. o. melanonota - Hartert, 1908: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Ranongga and Vella Lavella P. o. pavuvu - Mayr, 1932: Found on Pavuvu P. o. sanfordi - Mayr, 1931: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Malaita
  • P. o. cinnamomea - (Ramsay, EP, 1879): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Pseudorectes. Found on Beagle Island and Guadalcanal P. o. christophori - Tristram, 1879: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Santa Ana and San Cristóbal Island

Distribution

The oriole whistler is found throughout the Solomons, except in the Santa Cruz Islands.^[1]

Notes and References

1. 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.
2. IOC World Bird List 6.3. IOC World Bird List Datasets. 10.14344/ioc.ml.6.3. free.