Tropical Scrubwren (Sericornis beccarii) - HBW 12, p. 584

Taxonomy: Sericornis beccarii Salvadori, 1874, Wokan, Aru Islands.
Part of a species group that also includes S. nouhuysi, S. virgatus and S. magnirostra. Sometimes treated as conspecific with S. magnirostra, and in NE Australia race dubius apparently intergrades extensively with latter in extreme S of range (Cooktown S to R Bloomfield, in N Queensland); generally, however, differs significantly from it in vocalizations and behaviour, and in plumage of most races. Often treated as conspecific with S. virgatus, and a number of as yet unnamed forms from Bomberai Peninsula (Fakfak Mts, Kumawa Mts) and from E New Guinea (Mt Bosavi/L Kutubu) may belong with either species; in other areas, however, the two seem to behave as separate species, replacing each other altitudinally. Intergrades with S. virgatus known from Mt Bosavi, where specimen from 750 m typical of present species, while from 1520 m one specimen almost typical of S. virgatus and another intermediate between the two (most resembling present species); specimen from 1450 m on nearby Mt Sisa is also intermediate, but closer to S. virgatus. There may be both montane and lowland cryptic species involved. Genetic and vocal studies required in order to help in unravelling relationships in this complex of poorly known taxa. Eight subspecies currently recognized.