Cotinga 17 E a s t e r n Calyptophilus frugivorus a n d W estern Chat-Tanagers C. tertius Jesús Almonte and Eladio Fernández Since the early 20th century the taxonomic history prefer dense vegetation2. Following playback, a C. of the forms included within Chat-Tanager frugivorus responded almost immediately and was Calyptophilus frugivorus has been unclear and con­ trapped, photographed (Fig. 2) and released. Dur­ fusing. Consensus points to the existence of four ing the same period, JA heard a second individual races differing in size, colour, eye-ring pigmenta­ and saw a third cross the trail c. 30 m beyond the tion (see below) and voice. They are separated watchtower. geographically between Gonâve Island (abbotti; this On this occasion we did not take any measure­ form has not been reported recently), the Massifs ments, but C. frugivorus is considerably smaller de la Hotte and de la Selle (all Haiti) and Sierra de than the Western (Highland) Chat-tanager Baoruco (all tertius), the Sierra de Neiba and Calyptophilus tertius that inhabits the Sierra de Cordillera Central (neibae), and north-east lowlands Baoruco. Wetmore & Swales8 provide the following of the Dominican Republic to Samaná (frugivorus; mensural data. presumed to be extirpated)2. Two groups, tertius (in­ cluding abbotti) and frugivorus (including neibae), Wing Tail Culmen Tarsus have been considered to be involved (and treated Eastern Chat-Tanager specifically by several authors), but a recent study Calyptophilus frugivorus 92 88 20 28 mm by Klein4 found significant morphometric, vocal and Western Chat-Tanager genetic differences between tertius and frugivorus Calyptophilus tertius 97.3 102 23.9 31.2 mm (neibae) based on a single specimen of each. This was sufficient for the AOU1 to classify them as sepa­ rate species. BirdLife International, on the other Another interesting difference between the spe­ hand, considers the four generally recognised taxa cies that we have noted is that C. frugivorus has a to form a single species, which they treat as bright yellow eye-ring, which C. tertius lacks (Figs. Vulnerable2,6. Raffaele et a l5 . also consider chat- 1–2, see back cover). This method of separating the tanagers to be one species. Should more detailed two taxa does not appear to have been mentioned and extensive testing of Klein’s preliminary results previously in the literature, although several pre­ prove her initial findings to be correct, a reassess­ vious authors have mentioned that frugivorus ment of the conservation status of the two forms caught in Samaná, Sierra de Neiba, and the will be required. Here we follow the AOU arrange­ Cordillera Central have yellow eye-rings3,7,8. ment. In order to further clarify the status of the dif­ Eastern (Lowland) Chat-Tanager Calyptophilus ferent Calyptophilus populations in Hispaniola, we frugivorus is thus considered endemic to the west­ intend to continue taking measurements, voice re­ ern Dominican Republic east to Samaná, including cordings and photographic evidence. the Cordillera Central, and Gonâve Island1. We re­ cently recorded it for the first time within the References Reserva Cientifica de Ebano Verde, which is in the 1. American Ornithologists’ Union (1998) Check­ north-east of the central mountains and occupies list of North American birds. Seventh edition. 37 km2. Within the reserve, habitats include pine, Washington DC: American Ornithologists’ cloud, riverine and second-growth forests at 800– Union. 1565 m. JA had heard several C. frugivorus on a 2. Collar, N. J., Gonzaga, L. R, Krabbe, N., Madroño previous trip to the upper part of the ‘Sendero de Nieto, A., Parker T. A. & Wege, D. C. (1992) las Nubes’ in the reserve. We decided to try and Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP / capture an individual and document the species’ IUCN Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: Inter­ occurrence photographically. On 1 April 2000, seven national Council for Bird Preservation. mist-nets were erected on the trail, at 05h45–10h30. 3. Cory. C. B. (1884-5) Birds of Haiti and San They were opened along a 150-m-section of the trail, Domingo. Boston: Esstes and Lariat. between the antenna and watchtower. In addition, 4. Klein, N. (1999) Preliminary taxonomy of the we performed playback for the species. The area's Chat-Tanager (Calyptophilus frugivorus) in the undergrowth is dominated by an invasive fern, Dominican Republic. El Pitirre 12: 57–58. Dicranoteris pectinada, with native bushes and 5. Raffaele, H., Wiley, J., Garrido, O., Keith, A. & trees typical of Hispaniolan cloud forest. This pro­ Raffaele, J. (1998) A guide to the birds of the vides an ideal habitat for chat-tanagers, which 95 Cotinga 17 Photospot West Indies. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Univer­ Jesús Almonte and Eladio Fernández sity Press. Fundación Moscoso Fuello, Au. John F. Kennedy 6. Stattersfield, A. J. & Capper, D. R. (2000) Threat­ km. 7, Los Jardines, Santo Domingo, Dominican ened birds of the world. Cambridge, UK: Republic. BirdLife International & Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. 7. Stockton de Dod, A. (1978) Aves de la República Dominicana. Santo Domingo: Museo Nacional See back cover for colour photos of Eastern de Historia Natural. Calyptophilus frugivorus and Western Chat- 8. Wetmore, A. and Swales, B. H. (1931) The birds tanagers C. tertius of Haiti and Dominican Republic. US Natn. Mus. Bull. 155. 96 Eastern Chat-Tanager Calyptophilus frugivorus (top) and W estern Chat-Tanager C. tertius (Eladio Fernández) Please direct correspondence to: The Senior Editor, Neotropical Bird Club, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DL, UK..