Hooded Mannikin (Lonchura) [XC38279]
by Ross Gallardy from below 'Ambua Lodge', Southern Highlands, Papua New Guinea (call)
Hooded Mannikin (Lonchura spectabilis) [XC246766]
by Frank Lambert from Rabaul District, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea (call)
Subspecies
Has been suggested as forming a superspecies with New Ireland Mannikin (Lonchura forbesi) and Hunstein's Mannikin (Lonchura hunsteini). However, mitochondrial study of phylogeny indicates closer relationship with Black Mannikin (Lonchura stygia) and Grey-headed Mannikin (Lonchura caniceps). Birds from Karimui, in Eastern Highlands described as subspecies gajduseki, but birds with similar coloration found in other parts of New Guinea, and presence or absence of dark markings on side of breast and flanks shows similar local variability. Birds with dark buff breast, from Urimo, on Sepik Plains, proposed as subspecies sepikensis, but no specimen preserved and photograph indicates underparts of same colour as in gajduseki, while white-bellied birds also seen in same zone. Both sepikensis and gajduseki provisionally included within wahgiensis.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
mayri (Hartert, 1930) - Northern New Guinea from Cyclops Mts, L Sentani and Humboldt Bay east to western East Sepik Province.
wahgiensis Mayr & Gilliard, 1952 - North-eastern New Guinea from Madang Province and Huon Peninsula east to Wau, south to western Highlands (Mt Wilhelm and Wahgi Valley), Chimbu Valley (at Kup and Keglsugl), Karimui Valley and Tua Valley (from Karimui to Bomai).
spectabilis (Sclater, 1879) - Long I, Tolokiwa I, Umboi, New Britain and Watom I, in Bismarck Archipelago.
gajduseki Mayr & Gilliard, 1952 - New Guinea (Karimui basin and eastern highlands).
sepikensis (Hartert, E, 1930) - North-eastern New Guinea (East Sepik Province).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet