Birding-Aus Digest, Vol 75, Issue 20

[Phil Gregory <>]

" Cryptic" is a sexy name, (with Herpetological overtones), but is the bird  actually or unusually that much more camouflaged  or difficult to see than other Honeyeaters?   Is it generally so different to look at or listen to that a new name is really necessary ? (With apologies to armchair twitchers, of which I am now one, having seen the bird but not appreciated its uniqueness)

Well yes, it’s part of what was the Meliphaga group (now Microptilotis for many) and is extremely similar to Graceful Honeyeater, a critic species if ever there was one and hence the choice of name. Within that group in New Guinea there are likely to be several more as yet unrecognised cryptic species, so I think Cryptic is appropriate and Lloyd was happy with it after lengthy discussions with him and IOC folks about what on earth to call it.

Regards from Kagoshima.

Phil Gregory

ornithological writer/tour leader/tour facilitator

Field Guides / Sicklebill Safaris / Cassowary House / Cassowary Tours
PO Box 387
Kuranda
QLD 4881
Australia

Ph: +61 7 40 937 318

Email: m("s2travel.com.au","info");" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);" class="">
Website1: http://www.sicklebillsafaris.com OR www.birder.travel

Website 2: http://www.cassowary-house.com.au

Website 3: http://www.cassowarytours.com.au

On 27 Jan 2020, at 1:12 AM, Michael Hunter <> wrote:

" Cryptic" is a sexy name, (with Herpetological overtones), but is the bird  actually or unusually that much more camouflaged  or difficult to see than other Honeyeaters?   Is it generally so different to look at or listen to that a new name  is really necessary ? (With apologies to armchair twitchers, of which I am now one, having seen the bird but not appreciated its uniqueness)

             Michael

Sent from my iPhone

On 26 Jan 2020, at 4:00 am, m("birding-aus.org","birding-aus-request");" class=""> wrote:

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