Reichard's Seedeater (Crithagra reichardi) [XC339129]
by Peter Boesman from Mutinondo Wilderness area, Northern Province, Zambia (song)
Reichard's Seedeater (Crithagra reichardi) [XC858604]
by id from Dzalanyama Forest Reserve, Lilongwe, Central Region, Malawi (song)
Subspecies
Thought to form a superspecies with Streaky-headed Seedeater (Crithagra gularis), and previously considered conspecific. On basis of limited mitochondrial DNA analysis, both species, together with Black-eared Seedeater (Crithagra mennelli), sometimes placed in genus Poliospiza, indicating only distant relationship with other African members of present genus. Further, subspecies striatipectus possibly a distinct species. However, detailed consideration of all taxa in current genus is required before species limits or a full generic revision can be made.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
striatipectus (Sharpe, 1891) - Extreme southern and south-eastern Sudan, western and central-southern Ethiopia and western and central Kenya. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, Stripe-breasted Seedeater (Crithagra striatipectus).
reichardi (Reichenow, 1882) - Western, central and southern Tanzania, southern and south-eastern DRCongo, Zambia and Malawi.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet