The black pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens) is a species of bird in the monotypic genus of Melanorectes in the family Pachycephalidae. It is found throughout the highlands of New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Black pitohui
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Pachycephalidae
Genus: Melanorectes
Sharpe, 1877
Species:
M. nigrescens
Binomial name
Melanorectes nigrescens
(Schlegel, 1871)
Subspecies

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Synonyms
  • Pitohui nigrescens
  • Rectes nigrescens

Taxonomy and systematics

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The black pitohui was originally described in the genus Rectes (a synonym for the genus Pitohui) and re-classified to Melanorectes in 2013.[2] Alternate names include black whistler and dusky pitohui.

Subspecies

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The following six subspecies are recognized:[3]

  • M. n. nigrescens(Schlegel, 1871): Found in northwestern New Guinea
  • M. n. wandamensis(Hartert, 1930): Found in the Wandammen Peninsula (western New Guinea)
  • M. n. meeki(Rothschild & Hartert, 1913): Originally described as a separate species in the genus Pitohui. Found in west-central New Guinea
  • M. n. buergersi(Stresemann, 1922): Found in northern and east-central New Guinea
  • M. n. hartertiReichenow, 1911: Originally described as a separate species. Found in northeastern New Guinea
  • M. n. schistaceus(Reichenow, 1900): Found in southeastern New Guinea

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Melanorectes nigrescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22705589A130391976. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22705589A130391976.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Taxonomy 3.1-3.5 « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  3. ^ "Whiteheads, sitellas & whistlers « IOC World Bird List". www.worldbirdnames.org. Retrieved 2017-01-31.