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Black-chinned whistler

The black-chinned whistler (Pachycephala mentalis) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae, endemic to Halmahera and adjacent smaller islands in North Maluku in Indonesia.

Taxonomy and systematics

It is variably considered a subspecies of the Australian golden whistler 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.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognized:

  • Pachycephala mentalis tidorensis – <small>van Bemmel, 1939</small>: Found on Tidore and Ternate islands
  • Pachycephala mentalis mentalis – <small>Wallace, 1863</small>: Found on Bacan, Halmahera and Morotai islands
  • Pachycephala mentalis obiensis – <small>Salvadori, 1878</small>: Originally described as a separate species. Found on Obi Islands (Obi and Bisa)

Description

The black-chinned whistler is the northernmost member of the golden whistler group, being bordered to the south by the yellow-throated whistler. The black-chinned whistler is relatively large, and males are white-throated, have an incomplete black chest-band (only distinct in the center of the chest; does not connect to the black head) and a small black chin (lacking in Obi Islands).

References