Hi Russ & others The sandstone bird (ammitophila) is fairly easy to see atop of
Gunlom in Kakdu NP & I also had them in nearby Koolpin Gorge. I didn't see them
at Nourlangie Rock to the north, but did see some at nearny Gubara. So I guess
you could say that it is fairly widespread on the escarpment areas. The
coastal/mangrove bird (gordoni) I found to be quite common around Darwin at a
great deal of sites. However, I wouldn't say that this bird is anywhere near as
common as the Hornbill Friarbird (yorki) is around Cairns where I live. I have
a question though - why is it that the NE Qld bird yorki has been split as a
full species, especially from the coastal NT gordoni? I am no taxonomist, but I
would have thought that the escarpment frequenting ammitophila was more
distinct when compared to both gordoni & the newly split yorki, which at least
structurally to my eye, appear more closely related to one another... Any
thoughts anyone ...?? Cheers Martin Cachard,Cairns, 0428 782
808
> From:
> To: ;
> Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:37:18 +1000
> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Helmeted Friarbird races in NT
>
> David & birding-ausers,
> Wanting to be absolutely clear about
> what races of Helmeted Friarbird are believed to occur in the NT under the
> IOC classification.
> Am I right in thinking that Philemon buceroides
> gordoni ( Matthew's Melville Island friarbird) is the more widespread across
> the coastal Top End, and that P.b. ammitophila (? Sandstone Friarbird?) is
> confined to sandstone escarpments? Are they the only two races in the NT? Am
> I right in believing that the nominate race P. buceroides buceroides does
> not appear on the Australian mainland.
> Would be interested in peoples' views as to the relative abundance of
> these two races in the NT. A thorough search of my records for two visits to
> the Territory shows I've missed Helmeted Friarbird both times (along with
> White-lined H/E, but at least I was actively looking for that and knew I
> didn't have it!!)
> Don't you just hate it when you've missed an airchair tick.
>
> Russ Lamb, Maleny, SEQ
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