Pallid Honeyguide (Indicator meliphilus) [XC98333]
by James Bradley from Diani, coastal province, Kenya (song)
Pallid Honeyguide (Indicator meliphilus) [XC396113]
by id from Marich Pass Field Studies Centre, Kenya (song)
Subspecies
May form a superspecies with Willcocks's Honeyguide (Indicator willcocksi) which is closely similar in size and voice, and responds to playback of that species' song. Was long confused with Least Honeyguide (Indicator exilis), but differs vocally. Has been linked by some authors with Dwarf Honeyguide (Indicator pumilio). Birds from border region of south-central Kenya and northern Tanzania have been treated as separate species, Indicator narokensis. However, described on basis of an immature specimen which is indistinguishable from type (also an immature) of present species, so synonymous with nominate meliphilus. Southern Malawi birds, described as appelator, inseparable from angolensis.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
meliphilus (Oberholser, 1905) - Eastern Uganda and central Kenya south to central-northern and east-central Tanzania. Also recorded from south-western Sudan (R Boro).
angolensis Monard, 1934 - Central Angola east to southern Zaire and southern Malawi, and south-east to east-central Zimbabwe and central Mozambique.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet