27/02/2014
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Varied Tit splits

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This Varied Tit, photographed on mainland Japan, will retain its name in the new revision. Photo: Alpsdake (commons.wikimedia.org).
This Varied Tit, photographed on mainland Japan, will retain its name in the new revision. Photo: Alpsdake (commons.wikimedia.org).


A taxonomic revision of the Varied Tit complex in eastern Asia will recommend the recognition of four species, and suggest new English names: the widely distributed Varied Tit Parus varius (including the subspecies amamii, namiyei, orii, sunsunpi and yakushimensis); Chestnut-bellied Tit P casteneoventris (Taiwan); Owston’s Tit P owstoni (southern Izu Islands); and Iriomote Tit P olivaceus (Iriomote). The decision is based on plumage, morphometric and DNA analyses.

Reference
BirdForum taxonomy thread.