Tyrant-flycatchers (Tyrannidae)

White-naped Xenopsaris (Xenopsaris albinucha) - HBW 9, p. 453

French: Bécarde à nuque blanche German: Kappenbekarde Spanish: Anambé Chico
Other common names: Reed Becard, Xenopsaris

Taxonomy: Pachyramphus albinucha Burmeister, 1869, near Bueno Aires, Argentina.
Affinities uncertain. Early taxonomists hypothesized that genus was close to Knipolegus, Serpophaga and Suiriri, whereas later ones included it within the family Cotingidae and placed it close to Pachyramphus. More recent systematic studies indicate that, on basis of cladistic analysis of morphology, this species may be the closest living relative of latter genus (but still with somewhat uncertain affinity); has been suggested that the two genera should be merged, but in most treatments monotypic genus is retained for present species because of its significant differences (including much smaller size, different tarsal scutellation, short pointed primary P9, absence of strong sexual dimorphism, nest type). Has also been proposed that both genera and several others (Laniocera, Laniisoma and Iodopleura) comprise a natural group, known as the “Schiffornis assemblage”. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

minor Hellmayr, 1920 - W & C Venezuela (extreme W Falcón, NE Lara and W Apure E to Anzoátegui and N Bolívar); probably also in parts of NE Colombia (Arauca and Vichada).
albinucha (Burmeister, 1869) - Guyana, N, NE & E Brazil (Roraima; Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Pernambuco and W Alagoas S through interior, including W Bahia, to Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul), N & E Bolivia (Beni, Santa Cruz), W & C Paraguay (Chaco), NE Argentina (E from Tucumán and Córdoba, S to Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Buenos Aires) and extreme NW & W Uruguay.