Western Greenbul (Arizelocichla tephrolaema) [XC99765]
by Mike Nelson from Mount Oku, Bamenda Highlands, Cameroon (call)
Western Greenbul (Arizelocichla tephrolaema) [XC99764]
by Mike Nelson from Mount Oku, Bamenda Highlands, Cameroon (call)
Subspecies
Recent phylogenetic studies indicate that this species forms a superspecies with Shelley's Greenbul (Arizelocichla masukuensis). The two exhibit some similarities in vocalizations and behaviour (including scansorial foraging technique). Previously thought to form a superspecies with Eastern Mountain Greenbul (Arizelocichla nigriceps), and often treated as conspecific, but differs in several aspects, including plumage and, especially, voice. Subspecies vary clinally. Birds nearer Mt Cameroon (e.g. on Mt Kupé) intermediate between nominate and bamendae.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
tephrolaema (Gray, 1862) - Extreme south-eastern Nigeria (Mambilla Plateau, Gotel Mts, Obudu Plateau) and western Cameroon (Tchabal Mbabo and Bamenda Highlands south to Rumpi Hills, Bakossi Mts and Mt Kupé).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet