Dear Tim,
the split of the Yellow Wagtails was based primarily on three phylogenetic
studies (Odeen and Alstrom 2001, Alstrom and Odeen 2002, Voelker 2002) which
unanimously found that the three eastern subspecies taivana, macronyx and
tschutschensis are deeply separated from all other subspecies on genetic
grounds. In fact, these three eastern subspecies (which combine to form the
new Eastern Yellow Wagtail M. macronyx) may be equally distant from the
"proper" Yellow Wagtail (M. flava) as are other wagtail species, such as
Citrine Wagtail (M. citreola) or Gray Wagtail (M. cinerea).
These DNA results were indeed very surprising, since some of the "Eastern
Yellow Wagtail" forms have very similar counterparts among the numerous
proper (or "western") Yellow Wagtail subspecies. For instance, Eastern ssp
tschutschensis closely resembles the familiar European subspecies flava, and
Eastern macronyx is said to be indistinguishable from Scandinavian thunbergi
on plumage.
Having said this, calls seem to be a good field mark, with all the Eastern
subspecies (i.e. the newly split M. macronyx) sounding very sharp and
abrupt, whereas most European subspecies (belonging to M. flava sensu
stricto) give a very smooth "pseeu". Nonetheless, Alstrom and Mild (2003),
in their fabulous ID guide on pipits and wagtails, suspect that some of the
western subspecies may also give sharp calls.
I imagine that any bird seen in AUS would have to belong to Eastern M.
macronyx on grounds of probability alone. However, I suspect that all
accepted records would have to be revisited to be fully certain. Doubtless
other people on the list would be more knowledgeable to comment on whether
any AUS record has been properly assigned to either of the two newly split
species.
Cheers
Frank
---------------------------------------------
============Frank E. RHEINDT================
DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS
University of Melbourne
POSTAL ADDRESS:
Museum Victoria - Sciences Department
GPO Box 666
Melbourne 3001
Victoria
Australia
Telephone: 8341 7426
Fax: 8341 7442
E-Mail:
=============================================
From: "Tim Murphy" <>
Reply-To: "Tim Murphy" <>
To: <>
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Yellow Wagtail and Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2005 17:26:01 +1000
As a matter of interest, can anyone tell me which of the two recent split
species do we get here, or do we get them both?
Can anyone tell me what the field marks are for the split as I can't find a
source on the Internet.
And have any been recorded this year so far.
Tim Murphy
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