Splits with a retained species

These are the species that have been split into two or more species, with one of the split species retaining the original name. Such splits will not result in an Exception because the old name is still in the new taxonomy, thus you have to check them manually.

For example, this year Mew Gull was split into Short-billed Gull and Common Gull. That kind of split is addressed by the Exception report, because any observations of Mew Gull can't be carried over under that name; hence they are an exception. This kind of split is not listed here.

Also this year, Sedge Wren was split into Sedge Wren and Grass Wren. That kind of split is not addressed by the Exception report, because observations of Sedge Wren can be carried over under that name. You need to manually review your observations of Sedge Wren to see if any of them need to be moved to Grass Wren. This page lists all the splits of this type.

English namescientific nameTextrange
Variable ChachalacaOrtalis motmotVariable Chachalaca Ortalis motmot is split into two monotypic species, Variable Chachalaca Ortalis motmot and Chestnut-headed Chachalaca Ortalis ruficeps, based on vocal, morphological, and plumage differences (Tomotani et al. 2020).Guianas to s Venezuela and n Amazonian Brazil
Chestnut-headed ChachalacaOrtalis ruficepsN-central Brazil (south of the Amazon)
Dusky-legged GuanPenelope obscuraYungas Guan (Penelope bridgesi) is split from Dusky-legged Guan (Penelope obscura), based on differences in morphology, vocalizations, and habitat, in conjunction their widely allopatric distributions (Evangelista-Vargas and Silveira 2018).
Yungas GuanPenelope bridgesiE slope of Andes of Bolivia to nw Argentina
Vaux's SwiftChaetura vauxiThe monotypic group Vaux's Swift (Ashy-tailed) Chaetura vauxi andrei is (re)split as Ashy-tailed Swift Chaetura andrei, based on genetic evidence that andrei is very different from all other sampled populations of Vaux's Swift (Chesser et al. 2018b).
Ashy-tailed SwiftChaetura andreinorthern Venezuela, but distribution very poorly known: confirmed from the Orinoco Valley in Bolívar, and from Sucre
African Palm-SwiftCypsiurus parvusMalagasy Palm-Swift Cypsiurus gracilis (including subspecies griveaudi and nominate gracilis) is split from Cypsiurus parvus African Palm-Swift, based on Mills et al. (2019).
Malagasy Palm-SwiftCypsiurus gracilisComoro Islands; Madagascar
Butterfly CoquetteLophornis verreauxiiFestive Coquette Lophornis chalybeus is split into two species: a polytypic Butterfly Coquette Lophornis verreauxii, consisting of subspecies verreauxii and klagesi; and a monotypic Festive Coquette Lophornis chalybeus.E Colombia to e Ecuador, e Peru, nw Brazil and c Bolivia; SE Venezuela
Festive CoquetteLophornis chalybeusSE Brazil (Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Santa Catarina)
Turquoise-crowned HummingbirdCynanthus doubledayiThe monotypic group Broad-billed Hummingbird (Doubleday's) Cynanthus latirostris doubledayi is elevated to species rank as Turquoise-crowned Hummingbird Cynanthus doubledayi (del Hoyo and Collar 2014), based on genetic evidence that it is more closely related to Golden-crowned Emerald Cynanthus auriceps, Cozumel Emerald Cynanthus forficatus, and Canivet's Emerald Cynanthus canivetii than it is to Broad-billed Hummingbird (McGuire et al. 2014, Hernández-Baños et al. 2020).S Mexico (Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas)
Broad-billed HummingbirdCynanthus latirostris
Diamantina SabrewingCampylopterus diamantinensisThe monotypic group Gray-breasted Sabrewing (diamantinensis) Campylopterus largipennis diamantinensis is elevated to species rank as Diamantina Sabrewing Campylopterus diamantinensis, following Lopes et al. (2017).SE Brazil (Serra Espinhaço in Minas Gerais)
Gray-breasted SabrewingCampylopterus largipennis
Kentish PloverCharadrius alexandrinusThe monotypic group Kentish Plover (White-faced) Charadrius alexandrinus dealbatus is recognized as a monotypic species, following Kennerley et al. (2008), Sadanandan et al. (2019), and Wang et al. (2019a, 2019b).
White-faced PloverCharadrius dealbatusSE China; winters to se Asia, Malay Peninsula
Royal TernThalasseus maximusWest African Crested Tern Thalasseus albidorsalis is split from Royal Tern Thalasseus maxima, based on Collinson et al. (2017) and Dufour and Crochet (2020). Genetic evidence suggests that West African Crested Tern is sister to Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis, rather than to Royal Tern (Collinson et al. 2017), and so it is repositioned to immediately follow Lesser Crested Tern. breeds from southwestern United States (southern California) to northwestern Mexico (south to Sinaloa), and eastern United States through the West Indies to the Guianas and possibly Brazil, wintering south to Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina; also a disjunct breeding population in northern Argentina and southern Brazil
West African Crested TernThalasseus albididorsalisCoastal Mauritania to Guinea; winters to Namibia
Eurasian Scops-OwlOtus scopsThe monotypic group Eurasian Scops-Owl (Cyprus) Otus scops cyprius is recognized as a monotypic species, Cyprus Scops-Owl Otus cyprius, based on vocal and plumage differences (Flint et al. 2015, Robb et al. 2015). As a result, the polytypic group Eurasian Scops-Owl (Eurasian) Otus scops [scops Group] no longer is needed, and is deleted.
Cyprus Scops-OwlOtus cypriusCyprus
Arabian Eagle-OwlBubo milesiSpotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus is split into two species, based on dramatic differences in vocalizations, as well as differences in iris color, plumage, and morphology (Robb et al. 2015, Collar and Boesman 2019): a monotypic Arabian Eagle-Owl Bubo milesi; and a polytypic Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus, with subspecies africanus and tanae.SW Arabia, Yemen and Oman
Spotted Eagle-OwlBubo africanus
Collared OwletTaenioptynx brodieiCollared Owlet is more closely related to Elf Owl Micrathene whitneyi and to Long-whiskered Owlet Xenoglaux loweryi than it is to any species in Glaucidium (Salter et al. 2020). Change the scientific name of Collared Owlet from Glaucidium brodiei to Taenioptynx brodiei. Collared Owlet also is split into two species, based on differences in vocalizations and plumage (Gwee et al. 2019b): a polytypic Collared Owlet Taenioptynx brodiei, with subspecies brodiei and pardalotus; and a polytypic Sunda Owlet Taenioptynx sylvaticus, with subspecies sylvaticus and borneensis.Pakistan to s China, se Tibet, n Indochina and Malay Peninsula; Taiwan
Sunda OwletTaenioptynx sylvaticusSumatra; Borneo
Tawny OwlStrix alucoThe monotypic group Tawny Owl (Atlas) Strix aluco mauritanica is elevated to species rank as Maghreb Owl Strix mauritanica, based on differences in vocalizations and plumage (Robb et al. 2015), and genetic divergence (Brito 2005).
Maghreb OwlStrix mauritanicaMorocco, Algeria and Tunisia
Barred OwlStrix variaCinereous Owl Strix sartorii is recognized as a monotypic species distinct from Barred Owl Strix varia, based on differences in vocalizations (Pieplow and Spencer 2020), habitat (Binford 1989), and genetic divergence (Barrowclough et al. 2011).
Cinereous OwlStrix sartoriiMountains of n Mexico (Durango) to Veracruz and Oaxaca
Southern BoobookNinox boobookBased on genetic and vocal evidence (Gwee et al. 2017), three taxa previously classified as subspecies of Southern Boobook Ninox boobook are recognized as separate species: Alor Boobook Ninox plesseni, Rote Boobook Ninox rotiensis, and Timor Boobook Ninox fusca.
Rote BoobookNinox rotiensisRote (Lesser Sundas)
Timor BoobookNinox fuscaTimor (e Lesser Sundas)
Alor BoobookNinox plesseniPandar and Alor, Lesser Sundas, Indonesia
Ornate PittaPitta concinnaElegant Pitta Pitta elegans is split into three species, based primarily on vocal differences (Yue et al. 2020): a monotypic Ornate Pitta Pitta concinna; a polytypic Elegant Pitta Pitta elegans, including subspecies virginalis, maria, and elegans; and a monotypic Banda Sea Pitta Pitta vigorsii.Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Adonara, Lomblen and Alor islands
Elegant PittaPitta elegans
Banda Sea PittaPitta vigorsiiSeram, Watubela, Banda, Tayandu, Kai and Tanimbar islands
The Rufous Antpitta/Chestnut Antpitta Grallaria rufula/Grallaria blakei species group is partitioned into 16 (!) species, 6 of which are newly described, based on combined vocal, genetic, and plumage differences.
Sierra Nevada AntpittaGrallaria spatiatorThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Sierra Nevada) Grallaria rufula spatiator is recognized as Sierra Nevada Antpitta Grallaria spatiator. Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.Santa Marta Mountains (ne Colombia)
Perija AntpittaGrallaria saltuensisThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Perija) Grallaria rufula saltuensis is recognized as Perija Antpitta Grallaria saltuensis. Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.Sierra de Perijá (Colombia/Venezuela border)
Muisca AntpittaGrallaria rufulaThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Rufous) Grallaria rufula rufula now is recognized as three monotypic species: Muisca Antpitta Grallaria rufula; Equatorial Antpitta Grallaria saturata; and newly described Chami Antpitta Grallaria alvarezi. Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.Andes of Venezuela (Táchira) and Eastern Andes of Colombia south to Cundinamarca and western Meta (but absent from the west slope in the Iguaque Massif in Boyacá and extreme southwestern Santander)
Oxapampa AntpittaGrallaria centralisThe monotypic Chestnut Antpitta Grallaria blakei is found to consist of two species: Chestnut Antpitta Grallaria blakei; and newly described Oxapampa Antpitta Grallaria centralis Hoster, Robbins, Isler, and Chesser (Isler et al. 2020). Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC. Chestnut Antpitta and Oxapampa Antpitta are not sister species.east slope of the Andes of central Peru (Huánuco south of the Huallaga River south through Pasco to Junín, west of the Ene River and north of the Río Mantaro River)
Ayacucho AntpittaGrallaria ayacuchensisOne of the newly described species is Ayacucho Antpitta Grallaria ayacuchensis Hosner, Robbins, Isler, and Chesser (Isler et al. 2020). Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of south central Peru (Ayacucho, west of the Apurímac River between the Mantaro River and Pampas River)
Urubamba AntpittaGrallaria occabambaeThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (South Peruvian) Grallaria rufula occabambae now is recognized as a polytypic species, Urubamba Antpitta Grallaria occabambae, with two subspecies, one of which is newly described. Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of southern Peru, in extreme eastern Junín (Cordillera Vilcabamba) and Cusco (west of Yanatili River Valley) and eastern Cusco, east of the Yanatili River Valley and between the Tambo River to the north and the Marcapata River to the south
Puno AntpittaGrallaria sinaensisOne of the newly described species is Puno Antpitta Grallaria sinaensis Robbins, Isler, Chesser, and Tobias (Isler et al. 2020). Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of extreme southeastern Peru (Puno) and adjacent Bolivia (extreme western La Paz)
Bolivian AntpittaGrallaria cochabambaeThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Bolivian) Grallaria rufula cochabambae now is recognized as Bolivian Antpitta Grallaria cochabambae. Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of northwestern Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba, and adjacent Santa Cruz)
Chami AntpittaGrallaria alvareziThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Rufous) Grallaria rufula rufula now is recognized as three monotypic species: Muisca Antpitta Grallaria rufula; Equatorial Antpitta Grallaria saturata; and newly described Chami Antpitta Grallaria alvarezi Cuervo, Cadena, Isler, and Chesser 2020 (Isler et al. 2020).Western Andes of Colombia (northwestern Antioquia south to northwestern Cauca)
Equatorial AntpittaGrallaria saturataThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Rufous) Grallaria rufula rufula now is recognized as three monotypic species: Muisca Antpitta Grallaria rufula; Equatorial Antpitta Grallaria saturata; and Chami Antpitta Grallaria alvarezi. Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.Central Andes of Colombia south through Ecuador to northern Peru (north and west of the Marañón River); also on the west slope of the Eastern Andes of Colombia, in the Iguaque Massif in Boyacá and extreme southwestern Santander
Cajamarca AntpittaGrallaria cajamarcaeThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (Cajamarca) Grallaria rufula cajamarcae now is recognized as Cajamarca Antpitta Grallaria cajamarcae. Note that this English name is provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.Andes of n Peru (Cajamarca)
Chestnut AntpittaGrallaria blakeiThe monotypic Chestnut Antpitta Grallaria blakei is found to consist of two species: Chestnut Antpitta Grallaria blakei, and newly described Oxapampa Antpitta Grallaria centralis. Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC. Chestnut Antpitta and Oxapampa Antpitta are not sister species.east slope of the Andes of northern Peru (Amazonas south of the Marañón River, south to Huánuco, north of Huallaga River)
Chachapoyas AntpittaGrallaria gravesiThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (North Peruvian) Grallaria rufula obscura now is recognized as three monotypic species: newly described Chachapoyas Antpitta Grallaria gravesi Isler, Chesser, Robbins, and Hosner 2020 (Isler et al. 2020); newly described Panao Antpitta Grallaria oneilli Chesser and Isler 2020 (Isler et al. 2020); and Junin Antpitta Grallaria obscura. Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of northern Peru (Amazonas south of the Marañón River, south to Huánuco, north of Huallaga River)
Panao AntpittaGrallaria oneilliThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (North Peruvian) Grallaria rufula obscura now is recognized as three monotypic species: newly described Chachapoyas Antpitta Grallaria gravesi Isler, Chesser, Robbins, and Hosner 2020 (Isler et al. 2020); newly described Panao Antpitta Grallaria oneilli Chesser and Isler 2020 (Isler et al. 2020); and Junin Antpitta Grallaria obscura. Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of central Peru (Huánuco south of the Huallaga River and Pasco north of the Perené River)
Junin AntpittaGrallaria obscuraThe monotypic group Rufous Antpitta (North Peruvian) Grallaria rufula obscura now is recognized as three monotypic species: newly described Chachapoyas Antpitta Grallaria gravesi Isler, Chesser, Robbins, and Hosner 2020 (Isler et al. 2020); newly described Panao Antpitta Grallaria oneilli Chesser and Isler 2020 (Isler et al. 2020); and Junin Antpitta Grallaria obscura. Note that these English names are provisional, pending the selection of English names for these species by SACC.east slope of the Andes of central Peru (Junín, south of the Perené and Paucartambo rivers, north of the Mantaro River, and west of the Ene River)
Loja TapaculoScytalopus androstictusScytalopus opacus androstictus is split from Paramo Tapaculo Scytalopus opacus and is elevated to species rank as Loja Tapaculo Scytalopus androstictusAndes of se Ecuador and extreme n Peru
Paramo TapaculoScytalopus opacusCentral Andes of Colombia to east central Ecuador
Utcubamba TapaculoScytalopus intermediusThe monotypic group Blackish Tapaculo (Peruvian) Scytalopus latrans intermedius is split and recognized as Utcubamaba Tapaculo, based on its different vocalizations (Schulenberg et al. 2010, Freeman and Montgomery 2017) and genetic divergence (Cadena et al. 2020).Central Andes of n Peru (s Amazonas)
Blackish Tapaculo Scytalopus latrans
Mayan AntthrushFormicarius moniligerMayan Antthrush Formicarius monileger is recognized as a species, split from Black-faced Antthrush, based on differences in song and plumage, and on genetic differentiation (Howell 1994, Miller 2008, Patten 2015). Mayan Antthrush is polytypic, consisting of subspecies moniliger, pallidus, and intermedius.Caribbean slope of southeastern Mexico (except the Yucatán Peninsula), north to southern Veracruz and northern Oaxaca; southeastern Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula); eastern Guatemala and Belize south to central Honduras
Black-faced AntthrushFormicarius analis
Red-billed WoodcreeperHylexetastes perrotiiRed-billed Woodcreeper Hylexetastes perrottii is split into two species, based on genetic data indicating that nominate perrotii is more closely related to Bar-bellied Woodcreeper Hylexetastes stresemanni than it is to the two other subspecies of Red-billed, uniformis and brigidai (Azuaje-Rodríguez et al. 2020; see also Harvey et al. 2020). Therefore we recognize a monotypic Red-billed Woodcreeper Hylexetastes perrotii; and a polytypic Uniform Woodcreeper Hylexetastes uniformis, including subspecies uniformis and brigidai.SE Venezuela to the Guianas and Brazil north of the Amazon
Uniform WoodcreeperHylexetastes uniformisBrazil south of the Amazon between the Rio Madeira and the Rio Xingu, and northeastern Bolivia; between the Xingu and the Tocantins-Araguaia rivers)
Necklaced SpinetailSynallaxis stictothoraxNecklaced Spinetail is split into two species, based on vocal, morphometric, and plumage differences (Schulenberg et l. 2007, Stopiglia et al. 2020), and genetic evidence that one subspecies, chinchipensis, is more closely related to Great Spinetail Synallaxis hypochondriaca (Tobias et al. 2014) than it is to other subspecies of Necklaced Spinetail. This results in a polytypic Necklaced Spinetail Synallaxis stictothorax (with subspecies stictothorax and maculata), and a monotypic Chinchipe Spinetail) is recognized as a species distinct from Synallaxis stictothorax (Necklaced Spinetail).
Chinchipe SpinetailSynallaxis chinchipensisNW Peru (upper Marañón and Chinchipe valleys)
McConnell's FlycatcherMionectes macconnelliThe monotypic group McConnell's Flycatcher (Sierra de Lema) Mionectes macconnelli roraimae is elevated to species rank as Sierra de Lema Flycatcher Mionectes roraimae, based on differences in voice, display behavior, elevational distribution, and morphology (Hilty and Ascanio 2014).
Sierra de Lema FlycatcherMionectes roraimaetepuis of southern and southeastern Venezuela, and adjacent northern Brazil and western Guyana
Vermilion FlycatcherPyrocephalus rubinusThe two subspecies of Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus on the Galapagos Islands are recognized as a separate species, Brujo Flycatcher Pyrocephalus nanus (with subspecies nanus and dubius), based on differences in vocalizations and female plumage, and on genetic divergence (Carmi et al. 2016). Note that the proposed English name is provisional, pending final acceptance of an English name by SACC.
Brujo FlycatcherPyrocephalus nanus
Graceful HoneyeaterMicroptilotis gracilisGraceful Honeyeater is removed from the genus Meliphaga, following McCullough et al. (2019); change the scientific name from Meliphaga gracilis to Microptilotis gracilis. Graceful Honeyeater is split into two monotypic species, based on vocal differences (Nielsen 2018) and genetic divergence (Peñalba et al. 2017): Graceful Honeyeater Microptilotis gracilis and Cryptic Honeyeater Microptilotis imitatrix.S New Guinea, Arus, is. in s Torres Strait and Cape York Pen.
Cryptic HoneyeaterMicroptilotis imitatrixNE Queensland (Mossman to Burdekin River)
Chinese Gray ShrikeLanius sphenocercusChinese Gray Shrike Lanius sphenocercus is split into two monotypic species, based on genetic divergence (Fuchs et al. 2019) and parapatry or narrow sympatry with no evidence of introgression (Panov 2011): Chinese Gray Shrike Lanius sphenocercus and Giant Shrike Lanius giganteus.Mountains of e Russia (Amur region) to ne and central China
Giant ShrikeLanius giganteusMountains of e Tibet; > to se China
Dunn's LarkEremalauda dunniWe recognize Arabian Lark Eremalauda eremodites as a species distinct from Dunn's Lark Eremalauda dunniS edge of Sahara (Mauritania to Mali, Chad and c Sudan)
Arabian LarkEremalauda eremoditesSW Arabia
Himalayan PriniaPrinia crinigeraThe Striated Prinia Prinia crinigera/Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa complex is revised, based primarily on genetic and vocal divergence (Alström et al. 2020). As a result of these taxonomic revisions, five species are recognized: a polytypic Himalayan Prinia Prinia crinigera, including subspecies striatula, crinigera, yunnanensis (which includes some populations previously included in catharia), and bangsi (which previously was classified as a subspecies of Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa); a polytypic Striped Prinia Prinia striata, including subspecies catharia (which includes the previously recognized subspecies parvirostris), parumstriata; and striata; a monotypic Burmese Prinia Prinia cooki; a monotypic Annam Prinia Prinia rocki; and a polytypic Brown Prinia Prinia polychroa, including subspecies polychroa and deignani (newly described).western Pakistan, south of the Himalayas; northern Pakistan (and adjacent northeastern Afghanistan ?) east to Bhutan; northeastern India (Assam), northern Myanmar, and southern China (western Yunnan); southern China (southeastern Yunnan)
Striped PriniaPrinia striatasouthern China (Sichuan, southern Shaanxi, and eastern Yunnan east to Hunan and northern Guangdong); Coastal provinces of se China and Yangtze River drainage; Taiwan
Burmese PriniaPrinia cookicentral Myanmar
Annam PriniaPrinia rockiVietnam (Langbian Plateau)
Brown PriniaPrinia polychroaThailand, southwestern Laos, and northwestern Cambodia; Java
Graceful PriniaPrinia gracilisGraceful Prinia Prinia gracilis is split into two species, based on differences in vocalizations and morphology, and deep genetic divergence (Alström et al. 2021b). We arranged these as a polytypic Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis, including subspecies deltae, natronensis, gracilis, yemensis, and ashi; and a polytypic Delicate Prinia Prinia lepida, including subspecies akyildizi, hufufae, carpenteri, lepida, and stevensi. Note, however, that this arrangement is incorrect; subspecies hufufae properly belongs in Graceful Prinia, not in Delicate Prinia. We noticed this error too late to correct in the 2021 update, but this will be corrected in next year's revisions (2022).Egypt (Nile Delta) to Sinai and w Israel; N Egypt (Wadi el Natrun); Nile Valley from northern Egypt south to southern Sudan; Red Sea coast of northeastern Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and northern Somalia; and the eastern Sinai Peninsula, Lebanon, southern Syria, eastern Israel, Jordan, and northwestern Saudi Arabia; coastal southwestern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and southern Oman; southeastern Somalia (coast from ca 2° to 3° 30'N)
Delicate PriniaPrinia lepidaCoastal s Turkey (Antalya to Adana); E Saudi Arabia (Hufuf Oasis) and Bahrain; northern Oman; northeastern Syria, Iraq, and southwestern Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India; S Nepal to ne India (Assam and Arunachal Pradesh)
Little Rush WarblerBradypterus baboecalaLittle Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala includes two genetically distinct, unrelated lineages (Alström et al. 2011a, 2018b), and so is split into two species: a polytypic Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala (note the deletion of the hyphen in the English name), including subspecies chadensis, abyssinicus, tongensis, benguellensis, msiri, transvaalensis, and baboecala; and a polytypic Highland Rush Warbler Bradypterus centralis, with subspecies sudanensis, elgonensis, and centralis.W Chad; Ethiopia; SE Kenya to Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Natal; W Angola; eastern Angola to Zambia, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Katanga), and northeastern Botswana; central Zimbabwe, northern and eastern South Africa, western Swaziland, and Lesotho; southern South Africa (Western Cape and Eastern Cape, east to Great Kei River);
Highland Rush WarblerBradypterus centralisSouth Sudan and western Ethiopia; Nigeria to s Cameroon, ne Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, sw Uganda; Highlands of w and central Kenya and se Uganda;
Gray-cheeked BulbulAlophoixus tephrogenysGray-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres is split into two species, based on genetic evidence that it does not form a monophyletic group (Fuchs et al. 2015, Shakya et al. 2020): a polytypic Gray-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus tephrogenys, including subspecies tephrogenys and gutturalis; and a polytypic Brown-cheeked Bulbul Alophoixus bres, with subspecies bres and basilicus.S Myanmar, Malay Peninsula and lowlands of e Sumatra; Borneo
Brown-cheeked BulbulAlophoixus bresW and central Java; E Java and Bali
Penan BulbulAlophoixus ruficrissusOchraceous Bulbul Alophoixus ochraceus is split into two species, based on genetic evidence that it does not form a monophyletic group (Fuchs et al. 2015, Shakya et al. 2020): a polytypic Penan Bulbul Alophoixus ruficrissus, including subspecies fowleri, ruficrissus, and meratusensis; and a polytypic Ochraceous Alophoixus ochraceus, with subspecies hallae, cambodianus, ochraceus, sordidus, sacculatus, and sumatranus.montane areas of northern Borneo (except for Sabah); Highlands of n Borneo (Mt Kinabalu); southeastern Borneo (Meratus Mountains)
Ochraceous BulbulAlophoixus ochraceusS Vietnam; SE Thailand and sw Cambodia (Chaine de l'Éléphant); S Myanmar to sw Thailand; Malay Peninsula and Mergui Archipelago; Highlands of s Malaya (n Perak to Negri Sembilan and Pahang); Highlands of w Sumatra
Island Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus poliocephalusThe monotypic group Island Leaf Warbler (Numfor) Phylloscopus maforensis maforensis is recognized as a species, following Beehler and Pratt (2016). The oldest available name for Island Leaf Warbler then becomes poliocephalus; change the scientific name of Island Leaf Warbler from Phylloscopus maforensis to Phylloscopus poliocephalus.
Numfor Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus maforensisNumfor I. (n New Guinea)
Biak Leaf WarblerPhylloscopus misoriensisThe monotypic group Island Leaf Warbler (Biak) Phylloscopus maforensis misoriensis is recognized as a species, Biak Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus misoriensis, following Beehler and Pratt (2016).Biak I. (n New Guinea)
Abyssinian White-eyeZosterops abyssinicusAbyssinian White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus is split into two species, following Martins et al. (2020; see also Cox et al. 2014): a polytypic Abyssinian White-eye Zosterops abyssinicus, including subspecies arabs, abyssinicus, and omoensis; and a monotypic Socotra White-eye Zosterops socotranus.
Socotra White-eyeZosterops socotranusN Somalia and Socotra
Lemon-bellied White-eyeZosterops chlorisLemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris is split into two species, following O'Connell et al. (2019): a polytypic Lemon-bellied White-eye Zosterops chloris, including subspecies maxi, mentoris, intermedius, and chloris; and a monotypic Wakatobi White-eye Zosterops flavissimus.
Wakatobi White-eyeZosterops flavissimusWakatobi Islands, southeast of Sulawesi
Solomons White-eyeZosterops kulambangraeSolomons White-eye Zosterops kulambangrae is split into two species, following Moyle et al. (2009): a monotypic Solomons White-eye Zosterops kulambangrae; and a polytypic Dark-eyed White-eye Zosterops tetiparius, including subspecies paradoxus and tetiparius.Solomon Islands (Kolombangara, Vonavona, Kohinggo, New Georgia, Vangunu, and Nggatokae)
Dark-eyed White-eyeZosterops tetipariusRendova I. (Solomon Is.); Tetepare I. (Solomon Is.)
Brown-headed NuthatchSitta pusillaBahama Nuthatch Sitta insularis is recognized as a species distinct from Brown-headed Nuthatcher Sitta pusilla, based on vocal differences (Hayes et al. 2004, Boesman and Collar 2020, Levy and Cox 2020).Pine forests of se US
Bahama NuthatchSitta insularisGrand Bahama Island; now critically endangered or extinct
Tropical GnatcatcherPolioptila plumbeaThe polytypic group Tropical Gnatcatcher (White-browed) Polioptila plumbea [bilineata Group] is split and is recognized as White-browed Gnatcatcher Polioptila bilineata, based on genetic evidence that Tropical Gnatcatcher is not monophyletic (Smith et al. 2018).N Colombia (upper Magdalena Valley); E slope of Andes of n Colombia to n Venezuela; Isla Margarita; north central Peru (upper Marañón Valley, from Piura to northwestern Huánuco); Extreme e Colombia to s Venezuela and extreme n Brazil; The Guianas and ne Brazil (Rio Tapajós to n Maranhão); western Amazonia, from southern Colombia south to southeastern Peru (Madre de Dios) and east to adjacent Brazil (Acre and western Amazonas); NE Brazil (Maranhão to Piauí, Ceará, Pernambuco and Bahia);
White-browed GnatcatcherPolioptila bilineataLowlands of se Mexico (s Veracruz) to e Nicaragua; SE Mexico (Quintana Roo and Campeche) to Panama; Panama (Coiba and Pearl islands); N Colombia to w Peru (n Lima); Colombia (upper Río Dagua and upper Río Patía)
Sedge WrenCistothorus stellarisSedge Wren Cistothorus platensis is split into species, based on vocal differences and on paraphyly (e.g., Robbins and Nyári 2014, Boesman 2016b): a monotypic Sedge Wren Cistothous stellaris, and a polytypic Grass Wren Cistothorus platensis.E Canada to e US; winters Florida to ne Mexico
Grass WrenCistothorus platensis
Hill Blue FlycatcherCyornis whiteiHill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas is split into three species, based primarily on genetic and vocal divergence (Zhang et al. 2015, Gwee et al. 2019a): a polytypic Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis whitei, including subspecies whitei, lehhakuni, deignani, and coerulifrons; a polytypic Javan Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas, including subspecies banyumas and ligus; and a monotypic Dayak Blue Flycatcher Cyornis montanus. Note that the scientific name associated with the English name Hill Blue Flycatcher now switches from Cyornis banyumas to Cyornis whitei.NE Myanmar to s China, ne Thailand, n Laos and n Vietnam; Eastern plateau of Thailand; SE Thailand; Malay Peninsula (south of Isthmus of Kra)
Javan Blue FlycatcherCyornis banyumasJava
Dayak Blue FlycatcherCyornis montanusBorneo
Narcissus FlycatcherFicedula narcissinaNarcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina is split into two monotypic species, based on vocal and genetic divergence (Dong et al. 2015; see also Boesman 2016c): Narcissus Flycatcher Ficedula narcissina and Ryuku Flycatcher Narcissus owstoni.Sakhalin to Japan; > to Philippines and Borneo
Ryuku FlycatcherFicedula owstoniS Ryukyu Islands
Siberian StonechatSaxicola maurusThe monotypic group Siberian Stonechat (Stejneger's) Saxicola maurus stejnegeri is recognized as a species, Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri, based on genetic divergence (Zink et al. 2009), vocal differences (Opaev et al. 2018), and the apparent scarcity of introgression in an area of contact with nominate maurus.
Amur StonechatSaxicola stejnegeriE Siberia to Japan and Korea; > to s China and Indochina
White-spotted MuniaMayrimunia leucosticta Streak-headed Munia Lonchura tritissima is transferred to the genus Mayrimunia; change the scientific name to Mayrimunia tristissima. Streak-headed Munia also is split into two species, following Restall (1996) and Beehler and Pratt (2016): a polytypic Streak-headed Munia, consisting of subspecies tristissima, hypomelaena, calaminoros, and bigilalei; and a monotypic White-spotted Munia Mayrimunia leucosticta. Delete subspecies moresbyensis, previously included with leucosticta, with range "SE Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby)."lowlands of southern New Guinea (Lorentz River east at least to the Kikori River region, and perhaps farther east)
Streak-headed Munia Mayrimunia tristissima
Long-billed PipitAnthus similisNicholson's Pipit Anthus nicholsoni is split from Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis, based on Pietersen et al. (2018); Nicholson's Pipit includes the subspecies palliditinctus, leucocraspedon, nicholsoni, petricolus, and primarius. These subspecies previously were included in the polytypic group Long-billed Pipit (Nicholson's) Anthus similis [nicholsoni Group]. The remaining subspecies in this group (asbenaicus, jebelmarrae, nivescens, hararensis, and dewittei) now are recognized as the polytypic group Long-billed Pipit (East African) Anthus similis [nivescens Group].
Nicholson's PipitAnthus nicholsoniExtreme sw Angola and nw Namibia; W and s Namibia and sw South Africa; SE Botswana and ne South Africa; Lesotho and e South Africa; S South Africa (s Western Cape to n Eastern Cape)
West Mexican EuphoniaEuphonia godmaniScrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis is split into two species, based on Vázquez-López et al. (2020): a monotypic West Mexican Euphonia Euphonia godmani, and a polytypic Scrub Euphonia Euphonia affinis, consisting of subspecies olmecorum and affinis.Arid tropical w Mexico (se Sonora to Guerrero)
Scrub EuphoniaEuphonia affinis
Gray-headed BullfinchPyrrhula erythacaGray-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca is split into two species, based on genetic and vocal differences (Dong et al. 2020): a polytypic Gray-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca, including subspecies erythaca and wilderi; and a monotypic Taiwan Bullfinch Pyrrhula owstoni.
Taiwan BullfinchPyrrhula owstoniMountains of Taiwan
Moss-backed SparrowArremon dorbigniiArremon dorbignyi is recognized as a monotypic species, Moss-backed Sparrow, split from Saffron-billed Sparrow Arremon flavirostris (Buainain et al. 2016, Trujillo-Arias et al. 2017).base of the Andes of eastern Bolivia (La Paz to Tarija) and northwestern Argentina (south to Catamarca)
Saffron-billed SparrowArremon flavirostris
Rufous-capped WarblerBasileuterus rufifronsA monotypic Chestnut-capped Warbler Basileuterus delattrii is split from Rufous-capped Warbler Basileuterus rufifrons, based on narrow sympatry and differences in vocalizations (Demko et al. 2019, 2020).Sierra Madre Occidental of w Mexico (Sonora to Durango); Mts. of w and central Mexico (s Sinaloa to Guerrero and Oaxaca); Sierra Madre Oriental of e Mexico (Nuevo León to Veracruz); Mts. of s Mexico (Puebla to Oaxaca and Chiapas) to n Guatemala; S Mexico (s Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas) to Belize and n Guatemala
Chestnut-capped WarblerBasileuterus delattriiS Mexico (se Chiapas) to highlands of n Costa Rica; SW Costa Rica to Panama, n Colombia and w Venezuela; Coiba I. (off Pacific coast of Panama)
Puerto Rican BullfinchMelopyrrha portoricensisSt. Kitts Bullfinch Melopyrrha grandis (which possibly is extinct) is split from Puerto Rican Bullfinch Melopyrrha portoricensis, based on morphometric and plumages differences (Garrido and Wiley 2003).
St. Kitts BullfinchMelopyrrha grandisSt. Kitts I. (unrecorded since 1920s)