Stripe-cheeked Greenbul (Arizelocichla milanjensis) [XC819376]
by Lynette Rudman from Seldomseen, Vumba, Zimbabwe (song)
Stripe-cheeked Greenbul (Arizelocichla milanjensis) [XC523147]
by Valentijn Hermans from Mutare, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe (song)
Subspecies
Stripe-cheeked Bulbul (Arizelocichla milanjensis) and Olive-headed Greenbul (Andropadus olivaceiceps) (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) have been lumped into Andropadus milanjensis following Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993).
Recent molecular studies have suggested possibility of close relationship between subspecies striifacies and northern subspecies of Eastern Mountain Greenbul (Arizelocichla nigriceps) (nominate, kikuyuensis, usambarae), although the data are not statistically significant. Has also been proposed, on basis of morphological differences (including eye colour), that olivaceiceps and striifacies together be given status of a separate species; eye colour within both is variable, however, and vocal differences among subspecies appear not to support such treatment. Further study is needed. Poorly marked subspecies disjunctus (described from eastern Zimbabwe) considered indistinguishable from nominate.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
striifacies (Shelley, 1894) - Highlands of south-eastern Kenya south to south-western Tanzania (south to Udzungwas). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Olive-headed Bulbul (Arizelocichla striifacies).
olivaceiceps (Shelley, 1896) - Highlands of south-western Tanzania (Rungwe), Malawi (except Mt Mulanje) and north-western Mozambique (Unangu). Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Olive-headed Greenbul (Andropadus olivaceiceps).
milanjensis (Shelley, 1894) - Highlands of south-eastern Malawi (Mt Mulanje), extreme eastern Zimbabwe and west-central Mozambique.