Tylas Vanga (Tylas eduardi) [XC763000]
by Peter Boesman from Ranomafana National Park, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (song)
Tylas Vanga (Tylas eduardi) [XC158251]
by Peter Boesman from Ranomafana National Park, Haute Matsiatra, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar (call)
Subspecies
In the past, this species has been placed in bulbul family (Pycnonotidae) by some authors and with Old World orioles (Oriolidae), thrushes (Turdidae) or starlings (Sturnidae) by others. Recent molecular-genetic research indicates that it belongs in present family, although this treatment is not supported by cladistic analysis of vanga relationship based on morphological characters. Western subspecies albigularis, differing from nominate in plumage and voice, sometimes thought to represent a separate species, but a few individuals of each subspecies exhibit characters typical of the other. For eample, in highlands at Ambohitantely, both plumage types (white-throated and black-throated) occur.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
albigularis Hartlaub, 1877 - Very locally in western Madagascar.
eduardi Hartlaub, 1862 - Eastern Madagascar (Andapa area south to Tôlanaro).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet