Proposal (396) to South American Classification Committee
Establish English
names for Phacellodomus ferrugineigula
and P. erythrophthalmus
Effect
on South American CL: The SACC recently passed Proposal #371,
splitting Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus
(Red-eyed Thornbird) into two species: P. erythrophthalmus, and P. ferrugineigula, following Simon et al. (2008). We now need to stabilize English names for
the two species resulting from the split.
Background:
Simon et al. (2008) suggested
the English names of “Orange-eyed Thornbird” for P. erythrophthalmus, and “Chestnut-eyed Thornbird” for P. ferrugineigula. Prior to the split, the combined species went
by the name of “Red-eyed Thornbird” (e.g. Meyer de Schauensee 1966, Remsen
2003), which was a misleading name with regard to nominate erythrophthalmus, which has glaring orange eyes. The name of “Orange-eyed Thornbird” suggested
by Simon et al. for erythrophthalmus is particularly
appropriate in highlighting one of the most noticeable features of the bird. An
excellent photograph can be viewed at www.birdforum.net/opus/index.php?title=Red-eyed_Thornbird&curid=18100&diff=134068&oldid=134066 after scrolling down one page. See also the video at http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/red-eyed-thornbird-phacellodomus-erythrophthalmus/bird-bush-alert).
Remsen (2003) described erythrophthalmus
as having “orange eyes”.
On the other hand,
the name “Chestnut-eyed Thornbird” although not inaccurate in describing ferrugineigula, is not particularly
helpful. For starters, many individuals
have dark reddish eyes (not chestnut) (Remsen 2003; KJZ personal
observation). More importantly, the iris
color of ferrugineigula is frequently
difficult to discern under most field conditions (see: KJZ photo; www.arthurgrosset.com/.../photos/phaery9722.jpg and
for a video see http://ibc.lynxeds.com/video/red-eyed-thornbird-phacellodomus-erythrophthalmus/bird-moving-and-singing in which the iris appears to be dull
dark red at best.). This species is a
real skulker, usually remaining buried in dense vegetation with relatively
little light penetration. Under such
conditions, the pupil of the eye dilates, essentially obscuring the iris. This happens with erythrophthalmus as well, but the bright orange irides of that
species contrast so strongly with the dark pupil that they still stand
out. Conversely, the dark reddish or
reddish-brown irides of ferrugineigula
tend to show little contrast in poor light.
Of all eight
currently recognized species of thornbirds (SACC), ferrugineigula is by far the brightest and most extensively
rufescent, and the only one that is extensively orange-rufous on the breast
(KJZ photos). Remsen (2003) described erythrophthalmus as having “throat dark
rufous, blending to olivaceous-brown on underparts”, a description that
accurately squares with an examination of live birds and specimens. On the other hand, Remsen (2003) described ferrugineigula as having “orange-rufous
of throat extending to breast”, which, again, is supported by an examination of
specimens and photos of live birds. In
commenting on Proposal #371, KJZ had previously suggested either “Ferruginous
Thornbird” or “Ferruginous-breasted Thornbird” for ferrugineigula, either of which would be much more descriptive, as
well as being more in keeping with the species epithet, which translates to
“ferruginous throated”. Adopting either
of these names would ruin the symmetry with the English name of erythrophthalmus that Simon et al. clearly had in mind, but would
mean that the name would convey more information regarding the appearance of
the bird in the field. Because the split
has just been adopted, the name “Chestnut-eyed Thornbird” has not gained any
particular traction. In fact, a
muddle of English names is now in usage by different entities – with no
apparent consensus. These are as follows:
|
P. erythrophthalmus |
P. ferrugineigula |
Source |
|
Orange-eyed
Thornbird |
Chestnut-eyed
Thornbird |
Simon
et al. 2008 |
|
Orange-eyed
Thornbird |
Red-eyed
Thornbird |
IOC |
|
Red-eyed
Thornbird |
Orange-eyed
Thornbird |
IUCN,
BirdLife International |
|
Red-eyed
Thornbird |
Chestnut-eyed
Thornbird |
SACC
(provisional) |
MP and JL, while
agreeing that “Chestnut-eyed Thornbird” is a poor choice for P. ferrugineigula, objected to both
“Ferruginous Thornbird” and “Ferruginous-breasted Thornbird” on the grounds
that the color of the underparts are “pale orange” rather than
ferruginous. KJZ concedes that the color
of the throat and breast of ferrugineigula
is closer to orange than to ferruginous, which color more accurately describes
the forecrown. A glance at the two species would suggest that one species (ferrugineigula) has the entire throat
and breast (extending to but not including the belly) orange-rufous, whereas
the other (erythrophthalmus) has an
orange throat patch that barely extends to the upper breast. Confronted with the two species, and having
to guess which one was called “Orange-breasted”, “Rufous-breasted”, or
“Ferruginous-breasted”, would, we suspect, typically result in most people
guessing ferrugineigula. After thrashing this around a little, we have
concluded that the best English name for ferrugineigula
is “Orange-breasted Thornbird”.
As for erythrophthalmus: based on KJZ’s
extensive field experience with the species, the glaring orange eyes jump out
in the field every time, and any ambiguity in published photos or video is
likely an artifact of ambient light and the capabilities of the camera
equipment involved. The eye color of erythrophthalmus is also much more of a
bright orange than in Freckle-breasted Thornbird (amber) or Greater Thornbird
(yellow). MP and JL suggested the name
of “Flame-throated Thornbird” as an alternative to an iris-color-based name for
erythrophthalmus. This is not a bad alternative, and the name
is certainly distinct from that of other thornbirds, and hence, unlikely to
cause confusion. However, if we are
being sticklers on the use of color (as in objections to ferruginous versus
orange or rufous), then the throat color of erythrophthalmus
isn’t really “Flame-colored” (think of the colors of Flame-throated Warbler and
Flame-colored Tanager). Remsen (2003)
described it as “dark rufous”. Again,
after kicking it around a bit, we have reached consensus that “Orange-eyed
Thornbird” is the best name for this species.
Recommendation:
We recommend that the SACC adopt “Orange-eyed Thornbird” as the English
name for Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus
(following Simon et al. 2008), and
that we use “Orange-breasted Thornbird” as the English name for P. ferrugineigula. As a way forward, perhaps we should split
this proposal into three parts as follows:
#396a –
Accept “Orange-eyed Thornbird” as the English name for Phacellodomus erythrophthalmus as first
proposed by Simon et al. Al. 2008. We
recommend a “YES” vote on this. A “no”
vote should be accompanied by a preferred alternate name. If part “a” of this proposal does not pass,
then we will compile a list of all of the suggested alternative names, and
re-vote.
#396b –
Accept “Chestnut-eyed Thornbird” as the English name for P. ferrugineigula, as first proposed by
Simon et al. 2008. We recommend a “NO”
vote on this.
#396c –
Accept “Orange-breasted Thornbird” as the English name for P. ferrugineigula. We recommend a “YES” vote on this. A “NO” vote on both #396b and c should be
accompanied by an alternative English name.
If neither b nor c passes, then we will tabulate the suggested
alternatives, and re-vote based upon that list.
Literature
Cited:
Meyer
de Schauensee, R. (1966). The birds of South America and their distribution.
Philadelphia: Academy of Natural Sciences.
Remsen
Jr., J. V. (2003). Family Furnariidae (ovenbirds). Pp. 162-357. In: Handbook
of the Birds of the World, Vol. 8. Broadbills to tapaculos (J. del Hoyo, A.
Elliot & D. Christie, eds.). Lynx
Edicions, Barcelona.
Simon,
J. E., Pacheco, J. F., Whitney, B. M., Mattos, G. T. & R. L. Gagliardi
(2008) Phacellodomus ferrugineigula (Pelzeln, 1858) (Aves:
Furnariidae) é uma espécie válida. Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia 16(2): 107-124.
Kevin J. Zimmer, Mark Pearman, & James
Lowen, April 2009
Comments from Stiles:
“YES
to both – the arguments seem reasonable and the names not dissonant or
cumbersome.”