Black pitohui


The black pitohui is a species of bird in the monotypic genus of Melanorectes in the family Pachycephalidae.
It is found throughout the highlands of New Guinea.
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Taxonomy and systematics

The black pitohui was originally described in the genus Rectes and re-classified to Melanorectes in 2013. Alternate names include black whistler and dusky pitohui.

Subspecies

The following six subspecies are recognized:M. n. nigrescens – : Found in northwestern New GuineaM. n. wandamensis – : Found in the Wandammen Peninsula M. n. meeki – : Originally described as a separate species in the genus Pitohui. Found in west-central New GuineaM. n. buergersi – : Found in northern and east-central New GuineaM. n. harterti – Reichenow, 1911: Originally described as a separate species. Found in northeastern New GuineaM. n. schistaceus – : Found in southeastern New Guinea