Taxonomy of the Northern Territory friarbirds known as Philemon buceroides gordoni

Abstract

Examination of all available material from the range of Philemon buceroides gordoni Mathews as defined by Salomonsen showed that two taxa were confused under the one name, true gordoni of Melville Island and coastal mangroves of the Northern Territory mainland, and nominate buceroids Swainson of the sandstone gorges or the Arnhem Land escarpment, the latter form previously known only from Timor and Savu. In view of their pronounced ecological differences on the mainland, gordoni is here elevated to rank of species. Vernacular names for both forms are discussed.