Sulawesi Cicadabird (Edolisoma morio) [XC90054]
by Frank Lambert from Palau Batudaka, Togian Islands, nr Taningkola, Indonesia (male calling in flight followed by female calling)
Sulawesi Cicadabird (Edolisoma morio) [XC90053]
by Frank Lambert from Palau Batudaka, Togian Islands, nr Taningkola, Indonesia (call)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Black-bibbed Cicadabird (Edolisoma mindanense), Pale Cicadabird (Edolisoma ceramense) and Black-shouldered Cicadabird (Edolisoma incertum), and all sometimes considered conspecific. Sula Cicadabird (Edolisoma sula) has sometimes been treated as a subspecies of present species. Subspecies salvadorii and talautensis sometimes included in Slender-billed Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre), for no apparent valid reason. Nominate subspecies varies clinally, with size of male's black throat patch decreasing and paleness of female plumage increasing from north to south. Birds from southern Sulawesi often separated as subspecies wiglesworthi, but populations with intermediate characters occur in parts of central and south-eastern Sulawesi.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
salvadorii Sharpe, 1878 - Sangihe Is.
talautense (A. B. Meyer and Wiglesworth, 1895) - Talaud Islands (Salebabu, Karakelong and Kaburuang).
morio (Müller, 1843) - Northern, central, southern and south-eastern Sulawesi, including smaller islands of Lembeh, Tobea, Kabaena, Muna, Buton.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet