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Nuthatches (Sittidae)

Sulphur-billed Nuthatch (Sitta oenochlamys) - HBW 13, p. 143

French: Sittelle des Philippines German: Schwefelschnabelkleiber Spanish: Trepador Filipino

Taxonomy: Dendrophila oenochlamys Sharpe, 1877, Guimaras, Philippines.
Sometimes placed with S. frontalis and S. solangiae in a separate genus, Oenositta. The three may form a superspecies and have at times been considered conspecific. Possibly more closely related to S. solangiae, Hainan race chienfengensis of which may form link between the two species (both are yellow-billed, whereas S. frontalis has red bill). Geographical variation partly clinal, colour saturation and dominance of lilac tones in plumage increasing from N to S through islands. Six subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • mesoleuca (Ogilvie-Grant, 1894) - NW Luzon (W Cordillera mountains), in N Philippine Is.
  • isarog Rand & Rabor, 1967 - Luzon (except NW).
  • oenochlamys (Sharpe, 1877) - WC Philippines (Panay, Guimaras, Negros and Cebu).

     See all 6 subspecies
  • mesoleuca (Ogilvie-Grant, 1894) - NW Luzon (W Cordillera mountains), in N Philippine Is.
  • isarog Rand & Rabor, 1967 - Luzon (except NW).
  • oenochlamys (Sharpe, 1877) - WC Philippines (Panay, Guimaras, Negros and Cebu).
  • lilacea (J. Whitehead, 1897) - EC Philippines (Samar, Biliran and Leyte).
  • apo (Hachisuka, 1930) - Mindanao (except Zamboanga Peninsula), in S Philippines.
  • zamboanga Rand & Rabor, 1957 - W Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula), Basilan and East Bolod I.
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