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