Common Cicadabird Edolisoma tenuirostre Scientific name definitions

Common Cicadabird occurs in southeastern Indonesia, the Caroline Islands, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and in northern and eastern Australia. It is resident in most of its range, but the populations in southeastern Australia are migratory, moving north to New Guinea in the nonbreeding season. Common Cicadabird is highly variable across this wide distribution. This extensive geographic variation suggests that Common Cicadabird almost surely should be partitioned into several different species, although there is not yet a consensus regarding exactly how best to split this species. Generally, the male of all populations is some shade of gray; females may be primarily gray and white, or are extensively brown.

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

24–27 cm; 50·5–76 g. A smallish, slender species with relatively long and thin bill. Male nominate subspecies is predominantly dark slaty gray; lores, cheeks and ear-coverts black; median and greater upperwing-coverts black, edged pale gray, remiges black, primary-coverts and primaries narrowly edged gray, secondaries and tertials broadly edged gray (whiter on tertials); rectrices black, glossed green at margins and tipped gray, central pair dark ashy gray with black subterminal spot; underparts, including axillaries and underwing-coverts, dark slaty gray, darker on throat; iris dark brown to black; bill blackish brown; legs blackish. Distinguished from similar congeners, e.g. E. morio, E. incertum, E. schisticeps and Coracina boyeri, by longish, more slender bill, pale edges of secondaries and slaty-gray lesser wing-coverts. Female is very different, distinctive, ashy brown above, grayer on crown, fawn-buff feather edges on rump and uppertail-coverts; creamy-buff supercilium, black eyeline, white-streaked blackish ear-coverts and face-sides, creamy-buff cheeks, chin and throat; upperwing-coverts brown, edged fawn-buff, greater coverts edged light rufous, primary-coverts dark brown, remiges dark brown with fawn margins, tertials edged rufous; central pair of rectrices olive-brown, rest dark brown, tipped fawn-buff, outermost with fawn-buff outer web; underparts creamy white to fawn-buff, with narrow blackish bars (except on undertail-coverts), axillaries and underwing-coverts plain fawn-buff. Juvenile is like female, but tertials tipped white, and feathers of upperparts, upperwing-coverts and remiges edged deep rufous, supercilium rufous, underparts deeper fawn, throat barred; immature differs from adult female in browner crown, brownish bill and legs. Geographic variation complex, involving mainly size (including bill), extent of black on head of male, and upperparts color and occurrence of barring on female ; edithae female has brown back, is buffy with blackish barring below; pererratum female is grayish brown above, buff and sparsely barred below; emancipatum is very large, female light slaty gray above, white with some black barring below; kalaotuae is like pererratum but grayer on back; timoriense is rather light in overall color, with dusky face and throat, female has pale gray back and fully blackish-barred white underparts; amboinense female is relatively gray above, and has buff underparts with relatively sparse black barring; nehrkorni male has black ear-coverts, chin and throat; <em>muellerii</em> is similar to aruense but wing longer; aruense is very small (wing of male 114–124 mm, e.g. vs. 130–136 mm in nominate); tagulanum is also similar (wing 123–129 mm) but bill larger and female has dense fine barring on breast; and melvillense male has black on face not extending to throat, female is mid grayish fawn above, creamy white with heavy dusky barring below.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

24–27 cm. Adult male is mid-gray overall, with blacker (but only slightly contrasting) lores and area in front of eyes, black median and greater upperwing-coverts and pale gray fringes to flight-feathers in wing. Adult female is reddish olive-brown to tawny-rufous above, and unbarred rich cinnamon below. Subspepcies pelingi differs in that female is unbarred rich cinnamon below, with blue-gray crown and nape. Juvenile and subadult plumages apparently undescribed.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

24–27 cm. Adult male is slate-gray overall, with even blacker (but not contrasting) mask and throat, black median and greater upperwing-coverts and pale gray fringes to flight-feathers in wing. Adult female has olive-brown upperparts, and rusty-buff underparts with relatively strong barring. Juvenile is generally browner than female, with scaling above and buffish underparts that are even more heavily barred.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

24–27 cm. Adult male is dark blue-gray on upperparts, with black from chin to breast. Adult female has underparts deep buff to rust-colored with some dark spotting, crown and nape blue-gray, becoming brown on mantle, and cheeks dark gray with paler flecking. Subspecies numforanum is rather small, male lacks white fringes to inner secondaries, and female shows little barring below, this being reduced to a few scallops on breast, mainly at sides. Juvenile plumage apparently undescribed, but subadult male has unmarked cinnamon-buff underparts.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

24–27 cm. Adult male is largely slate-gray, with black mask extending to throat and well onto ear-coverts, and darker centers to wing-feathers (fringed paler). Adult female is warm brown with darker centers to wing-coverts and flight-feathers, somewhat grayer-brown crown and nape, dark tail with buffy corners, heavily dark-barred rump, and buffy underparts with sides of neck and breast variably barred with black (sometimes virtually none), and dark barring extending across flanks and sides to belly center. Juvenile and subadult plumages apparently undescribed.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group])

25 cm; 55–62 g. Adult male is dark blue-gray with indistinct blackish facial mask, pale-fringed black wings, which can form a silvery panel on secondaries, and black tail with mid-gray central rectrices and tips. Adult female has blue-gray crown, rufous-brown upperparts, slight pale supercilium, dark eyestripe, black centers and rufous fringes to wing-feathers, olive-brown tail with rufous corners, and buff to rufous underparts, often with fine black barring (varying subspecifically). Juvenile is like adult female, with brown cap, buffy-fringed upperparts and black-spotted underparts. Subadult male has plumage blotched with gray. Subspecies differ as follows: ultimum female has darker gray upperparts and paler underparts; rooki male has black on lores and ear-coverts, very dark throat, female has olive-brown back and pale rust-colored underparts barred only on undertail-coverts; heinrothi resembles previous subspecies, but larger, female more barred, albeit variably, on pale to deep orange-buff underparts; <em>saturatius</em> female has upperparts reddish olive-brown to tawny-rufous, unbarred below, with rufous-brown back and rufous-orange tail; nisorium female is barred below from chin to belly (the only Solomons subspecies with barred underparts) and has darker upperparts than neighbouring subspecies.

Common Cicadabird (Gray-capped) (Edolisoma tenuirostre remotus [sic])

25 cm; 55–62 g. Adult male is dark blue-gray with indistinct blackish facial mask, pale-fringed black wings, which can form a silvery panel on secondaries, and black tail with mid-gray central rectrices and tips. Adult female has blue-gray crown, rufous-brown upperparts, slight pale supercilium, dark eyestripe, black centers and rufous fringes to wing-feathers, olive-brown tail with rufous corners, and buff to rufous underparts, often with fine black barring. Juvenile is like adult female, with brown cap, buffy-fringed upperparts and black-spotted underparts. Subadult male has plumage blotched with gray.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

24 cm; 30 g (one male). A relatively long-tailed and narrow-bodied cicadabird with a comparatively long bill. Adult male is largely very dark slate-gray , with even blacker facial mask extending well onto ear-coverts , mostly black tail with whitish corners and mainly black wings with paler fringes and tips to the coverts and fringes to the flight-feathers. Adult female has grayish crown and nape, largely brown upperparts, with darker centers to wing-coverts tertials and flight-feathers, all with extensive buffish fringes and tips, largely cold brown rump, uppertail-coverts and tail, the latter with pale buff tips and corners and rump heavily scaled darker and whitish; face shows dark lores, marbled ear-coverts and slightly pale supercilium over and just behind eye; virtually entire underparts are buffy, palest on undertail-coverts and rear belly, and to lesser extent chin and throat, with heavily dark vermiculated breast to belly and sides and flanks. Juvenile and subadult plumages appear not to have been adequately described.

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

c. 25 cm. A relatively long-tailed and narrow-bodied cicadabird with a comparatively long bill. Adult male is largely dark slate-gray, with blacker facial mask extending well onto ear-coverts, mostly black tail with whitish tips and corners, mainly black wings with paler fringes and tips to the coverts and fringes to the flight-feathers, and at least occasionally a slightly paler central belly patch; basically identical to E. monacha and E. insperatum. Adult female has brownish-gray nape and crown, rufous-brown upperparts, black-centered wing-coverts, tertials and flight-feathers all with buffish or whitish tips and fringes, blackish tail with buffish-white corners, brownish-gray rump and uppertail-coverts scaled darker, marbled face with slight buffish superciliary, and entirely buffish underparts barred and vermiculated darker. Juvenile and subadult plumages appear not to have been adequately described.

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

c. 25 cm; 37·2 g (one male). A relatively long-tailed and narrow-bodied cicadabird with a comparatively long bill. Adult male is largely dark slate-gray, with blacker facial mask extending well onto ear-coverts, mostly black tail with whitish tips and corners, and mainly black wings with paler fringes and tips to the coverts and fringes to the flight-feathers; basically identical to E. monacha and E. nesiotis. Adult female has dark gray crown grading into dark brown nape and upperparts, with black-centered wing-coverts, tertials and flight-feathers, all with rusty-buff fringes and tips, dark tail with buffish-white corners and tips, and entirely unmarked rusty orange-buff underparts, rump and uppertail-coverts, as well as only slightly dark-mottled ear-coverts and dark lores. Juvenile plumage appear not to have been adequately described, but immature is entirely rufous-cinnamon with heavy pale buff and black bars above and below.

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Edolisoma tenuirostre traditionally has been treated as a widespread, highly polytypic species (e.g., Peters et al. 1960 (1 Peters, J. L., E. Mayr, and H. G. Deignan. (1960). Family Campephagidae. Pages 167-221 in E. Mayr and J. C. Greenway, Jr. (editors), Check-list of birds of the world. Volume IX. Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Close ). There now is widespread agreement that Edolisoma tenuirostre should be split into multiple species, although there is much less consensus on exactly how to accomplish this.

Based primarily on patterns of plumage variation, supplemented by geographic variation in vocalizations, del Hoyo and Collar (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) partitioned E. tenuirostre into nine species. In this case,

1) Slender-billed Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre) = Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

is restricted to subspecies edithae, emancipatum, kalaotuae, pererratum, amboinense, timoriense, aruense, nehrkorni, muellerii, tagulanum, melvillense, and tenuirostre.

del Hoyo and Collar (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) further comment that

"New arrangement outlined here attempts a plausible and consistent use of available evidence, but perhaps no more satisfactory, involving separation mainly of insular N taxa (typically with darker gray males and rufous, unbarred females) into eight further species [see below]: Micronesian forms E. monacha, E. nesiotis and E. insperatum, along with Wallacean E. obiense and E. grayi, Geelvink Bay E. meyerii, and Melanesian E. remotum and E. rostratum. Subspecies salvadorii and talautense of E. morio sometimes treated as subspecies of E. tenuirostre, for no clear reason. Mainland New Guinea subspecies muellerii apparently indistinguishable from migratory Australian nominate subspecies, leading to suggestion that all or most populations of former are migrants from Australia and that muellerii should be considered synonymous with nominate (3 Beehler, B. M., and T. K. Pratt (2016). Birds of New Guinea: Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, USA. Close ); further study needed. Subspecific identity of birds on Lembata and of those on Seram Laut uncertain, with former tentatively included in timoriense and latter in amboinense; similarly, birds in NE Australia (Cape York Peninsula) presumed to belong with melvillense. Subspecies may form two groups: edithae, pererratum, emancipatum, kalaotuae and timoriense appear to have denser barring, whiter underparts and grayer upperparts".

Additional species recognized by del Hoyo and Collar (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) are:

2) Obi Cicadabird (Edolisoma obiense) = Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

"Hitherto treated as conspecific with E. tenuirostre, but differs from geographically adjacent taxa in that complex (here split from HBW arrangement into nine species) in following characters: from similar-sized E. grayi (with which, however, it shares a distinctive song) in its (in female) brighter and unbarred underparts (3); chestnut vs dull olive-brown mantle, back and scapulars (2); rich rufous vs dull olive-brown, lightly barred rump and uppertail-coverts (2); and rufous vs buff-edged gray-brown undertail (ns[2]); and from E. t. amboinense (and hence New Guinea and Lesser Sunda taxa) in its smaller size (including much shorter tail—at least 2); (in male) much duller gray wing fringes (ns[2]); (in female) plain rufous vs dark-barred whitish-buff underparts (3); and gray crown, chestnut back shading to rufous tail vs steady mouse-gray upperparts (3). Subspecies pelingi appears to differ only in minor morphological characters but has unique song (2) 4 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Slender-billed Cicadabird (Coracina tenuirostris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 180. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close ; further research needed. Two subspecies recognized" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

3) Moluccan Cicadabird (Edolisoma grayi) = Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

"Hitherto treated as conspecific with E. tenuirostre, but differs from neighbouring taxa in that complex (here split from HBW arrangement into nine species) in the following characters: from same-sized E. obiense distinguished by characters given under that species (see below), and from Papuan, Sulawesi and Lesser Sunda taxa and S Moluccan E. t. amboinense by its distinctive song shared only with E. obiense (2) 4 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Slender-billed Cicadabird (Coracina tenuirostris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 180. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close ; smaller size (allow 2); duller male (ns[1]); and (in female) dull rufous vs buff on equivalent areas (2); denser barring below (1); and rufescent vs grayish lower upperparts (2). Monotypic" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

4) Geelvink Cicadabird (Edolisoma meyerii) = Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

"Hitherto treated as conspecific with E. tenuirostre, but differs from adjacent taxon, muellerii, in that complex (here split from HBW arrangement into nine species) in its (in both sexes) different-colored wingpanel (ns[2]); (in male) darker gray plumage (ns[1]); (in female) rufous vs creamy-buff underparts (3); dispersed small dark spots vs relatively dense dark barring on underparts (2); much stronger blue-gray crown (2); more rufous-tinged upperparts (ns[1]); larger bill (allow 1); and shorter wing (allow 2). Differs from E. obiense in its larger size (at least 2); (in male) slightly darker gray (ns[1]); (in female) spotting on breast sides (2); more extensive gray crown (ns[1]); gray-tinged olive-brown vs chestnut-rufous mantle to uppertail (3); and rufous-edged dull gray-brown vs rufous undertail (2). Differs from E. grayi in its larger size (at least 2); (in male) slightly darker gray overall color (ns[1]); (in female) spotting on breast sides vs extensive barring below (3); more extensive gray crown (1); and darker upperparts (1). Differs from E. remotum in its larger bill (allow 1); shorter wing (allow 1); (in male) darker gray overall color (ns[1]); (in female) spotting on breast sides (2); more extensive gray crown (1); and narrow vs broad rufous tail tips (2). Two subspecies recognized" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

5) Rossel Cicadabird (Edolisoma rostratum) = Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

"Hitherto treated as conspecific with E. tenuirostre (now broken into nine species), but differs from closely adjacent form E. t. tagulanum in its (both sexes) much heavier, deeper bill (allow 3); (in female) pale rufous vs buffy-whitish underparts (2); confinement of bars to sides of neck and breast (2); unbarred vs lightly barred rump (1); darker, browner upperparts (ns[1]); and (in male) much less pronounced pale wing fringes (ns[1]). Differs from E. remotum in its (both sexes) much heavier, deeper bill (allow 3); (in female) confinement of bars to sides of neck and breast vs no or complete barring (2); darker upperparts (1); broader rufous edges of rectrices (1). Monotypic" (5 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2: Passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

6) Melanesian Cicadabird (Edolisoma remotum) = (= Manus Cicadabird Edolisoma admiralitatis, Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group], and Common Cicadabird (Gray-capped) Edolisoma tenuirostre remotus [sic])

"Until recently considered conspecific with E. tenuirostre (now broken into nine species), but differs from mainland New Guinea taxon E. t. muellerii in its (in female) rich rufous vs buffy-whitish underparts (3); rufous-tinged vs dead gray-tinged upperparts (2); and broad rufous vs narrow buffy-gray wing fringes (2). Subspecies admiralitatis, matthiae, heinrothi, rooki and nisorium are barred below, while ultimum, saturatius and erythropygium are unbarred, in a “leap-frog” pattern across the range. Form admiralitatis reported as being genetically distinctive, rendering species as arranged here polyphyletic 6 Jønsson, K.A., Bowie, R.C.K., Nylander, J.A.A., Christidis, L., Norman, J.A. and Fjeldså, J. (2010). Biogeographical history of cuckoo-shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes): transoceanic colonization of Africa from Australo-Papua. J. Biogeogr. 37(9): 1767–1781. Close ; it differs, however, from subspecies heinrothi and rooki only in its rather smaller size and more rufous-toned female, so confirmation of the molecular finding and research into vocalizations seem necessary before further action is taken. Nine subspecies recognized" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

7) Palau Cicadabird (Edolisoma monacha) = Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

"Until recently considered conspecific with E. tenuirostre, but differs from all taxa in that complex (here split from HBW arrangement into nine species) in its very small size (allow 4); scalier rump in female (2) except against E. nesiotis and E. remotum heinrothi (discounting variable vague gray scaling in E. t. tenuirostre); and fairly distinctive call, a mellow upslurred whistle (2) 4 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Slender-billed Cicadabird (Coracina tenuirostris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 180. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close . This last is shared with E. nesiotis, from which it differs in its smaller size (4); blacker plumage in male (1); much less rusty ground color in female (2); barring all across underparts in female (2); and less extensive vocabulary (1). Differs from E. r. heinrothi in its small size (4); much more spaced barring on female below, with chin plain (2); and voice (2). Name monacha is a noun, and thus invariable 7 David, N. and Gosselin, M. (2002). Gender agreement of avian species names. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 122(1): 14–49. Close . Monotypic" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

8) Yap Cicadabird (Edolisoma nesiotis) = Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

"Until recently considered conspecific with E. tenuirostre, but differs from E. monacha in characters given under that species and from all other taxa in that complex (here split from HBW arrangement into nine species) in its mellow upslurred whistles (2) 4 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Slender-billed Cicadabird (Coracina tenuirostris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 180. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close ; female with barring below confined to flanks (2); female with boldly barred rump (3) except vs E. remotum heinrothi, from which instead it differs in its rufous vs gray-brown back and scapulars (2); whitish-buff vs rufous edges of wing-coverts and remiges (1); and slightly smaller size (allow 1). Monotypic" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

9) Pohnpei Cicadabird (Edolisoma insperatum) = Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

"Until recently considered conspecific with E. tenuirostre, but differs from all taxa in that complex (here split from HBW arrangement into nine species) in its unique nasal cat-like whistles and a high-pitched ringing rising whistle (2) 4 Boesman, P. (2016). Notes on the vocalizations of Slender-billed Cicadabird (Coracina tenuirostris). HBW Alive Ornithological Note 180. In: Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Close ; and distinctive female, with chestnut (only vaguely gray-tinged) crown to back vs gray crown to mostly olive-brownish back (3); rich chestnut vs (in closest-matching other females) rufous-ochre rump and uppertail-coverts (2); rich unmarked cinnamon-rufous vs (in closest-matching other females) rufous-buff underparts (2). Monotypic" (2 del Hoyo, J., and N. J. Collar (2016). Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ).

A somewhat different picture emerges when the results of phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data are considered. As noted above, Jønsson et al. (6 Jønsson, K.A., Bowie, R.C.K., Nylander, J.A.A., Christidis, L., Norman, J.A. and Fjeldså, J. (2010). Biogeographical history of cuckoo-shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes): transoceanic colonization of Africa from Australo-Papua. J. Biogeogr. 37(9): 1767–1781. Close ) presented evidence that admiralitatis should be recognized as a separate species (Manus Cicadabird), and this is corroborated by Pedersen et al. (8 Pedersen, M. P., M. Irestedt, L. Joseph, C. Rahbek, and K. A. Jønsson. (2018). Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves: Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo-Pacific. Journal of Biogeography 45: 826-837. Close ); admiralitatus is basal to Sulawesi Cicadabird E. morio and to the rest of the E. tenuirostre complex, and is not closely related to taxa such as matthiae, remotum, ultimum, heinrothi, rooki, saturatius, nisorium, and erythropygium. Pedersen et al. (8 Pedersen, M. P., M. Irestedt, L. Joseph, C. Rahbek, and K. A. Jønsson. (2018). Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves: Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo-Pacific. Journal of Biogeography 45: 826-837. Close ) further propose to recognize E. insperatum (Pohnpei Cicadabird) as a species, as it is sister to E. mindanense (Black-bibbed Cuckooshrike); and to transfer subspecies emancipatum and timoriense to E. dispar (Kai Cicadabird). Otherwise Pedersen et al. (8 Pedersen, M. P., M. Irestedt, L. Joseph, C. Rahbek, and K. A. Jønsson. (2018). Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves: Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo-Pacific. Journal of Biogeography 45: 826-837. Close ) propose to retain all other members of this complex in a highly polytypic E. tenuirostre, and furthermore to lump into tenuirostre additional taxa such as E. incertum (Papuan Cicadabird), nominate morio of Sulawesi Cicadabird, and E. sula (Sula Cicadabird). Another approach, based on the same phylogeny, might be to split admiralitatis and insperatum as separate species; to retain morio as a species; and to split the remaining members of the E. tenuirostre complex into at least eight additional species. Should sula be retained as a species as well, however, then additional splits would need to be recognized. Pedersen et al. (8 Pedersen, M. P., M. Irestedt, L. Joseph, C. Rahbek, and K. A. Jønsson. (2018). Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves: Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo-Pacific. Journal of Biogeography 45: 826-837. Close ) caution that "a more detailed analysis of plumage variation and vocalization is probably required for a proper taxonomic delimitation".

Based on vocalizations, Eaton et al. (9 Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Close ) would separate the Indonesian taxa (as E. amboinense Wallacean Cicadabird) from E. tenuirostre, although the genetic data indicate that nominate amboinense and nominate tenuirostre are very closely related (8 Pedersen, M. P., M. Irestedt, L. Joseph, C. Rahbek, and K. A. Jønsson. (2018). Phylogeography of a ‘great speciator’ (Aves: Edolisoma tenuirostre) reveals complex dispersal and diversification dynamics across the Indo-Pacific. Journal of Biogeography 45: 826-837. Close ) . Eaton et al. (10 Eaton, J. A., S. L. Mitchell, C. N. Gonzalez Bocos, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). A short survey of the Meratus Mountains, South Kalimantan province, Indonesia: two undescribed avian species discovered. BirdingASIA 26:107–113. Close ) provisionally include within their E. amboinense the taxa amboinense, pelingi, edithae, pererratum, emancipatum, kalaotutae, timoriense, grayi, and obiense. They caution, however, that bioacoustic data are not available for many of these taxa, and indeed, as noted above, the genetic data suggest that emancipatum and timoriense are not even members of the E. tenuirostre complex.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

N Moluccas (Morotai, Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore, Bacan).

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Rossel I (E Louisiade Archipelago).

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

Palau Is (Babelthuap to Peleliu).

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

Caroline Is (Yap).

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

Caroline Is (Pohnpei).

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

Tropical and temperate forests, including rainforest, monsoon forest, deciduous vine forest and eucalypt (Eucalyptus) forest; also secondary forest, selectively logged forest and forest edge, scrub, open tall woodland, paperbark (Melaleuca) swamps, savanna and mangroves. Migrants in New Guinea more or less confined to forest edge, secondary growth, savanna and mangroves, absent from forest interior except on islands. Lowlands and hills, to c. 1460 m.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

Occupies a variety of forest and forest edge habitats below c. 1500 m.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

Occupies a variety of forest and forest edge habitats below c. 1500 m.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

Very little-known, but apparently restricted to forest and forest edge habitats, like other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Very little-known, but probably restricted to forest and forest edge habitats, like other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group; the only sight record (see Status and conservation) was from primary forest near gardens.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group] and Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Forest, including secondary areas, and forest edge, from sea-level to 1410 m.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

Generally inhabits dense forest, particularly mangroves, and sometimes at edges and in low scrubby vegetation, e.g. in the hills of S Babelthuap.

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

Apparently largely confined to well-forested habitats, with few sightings in savannas or other areas.

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

Recorded in mangrove and evergreen forest habitat from sea-level to 800 m, and appears to be associated largely with primary habitats.

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

Resident in most of range. In E Australia, S part of population migratory, moving S in Aug–Oct to breed, and with general return movement N in austral winter, from Mar (sometimes Jan); some individuals cross Torres Strait to reach non-forested habitats in S New Guinea during non-breeding season, with a single record from Kai Is (Jul 2009) perhaps also reflective of such dispersal.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group] and Edolisoma tenuirostre remotum)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

Resident.

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

Eats mainly insects, including caterpillars (Lepidoptera), adult and larval beetles (Coleoptera), grasshoppers (Tettigoniidae, Acrididae), crickets (Gryllidae), cicadas (Cicadidae) and ants (Formicidae); sometimes takes fruit and seeds. Found singly or in pairs. Rather unobtrusive; keeps high in trees, gleaning and snatching items from leaves, twigs and bark in tree crowns; rarely at lower levels.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

No information on diet; species is typically observed singly or in pairs, or in small groups of fewer than six individuals, which forage in the middle to upper canopy.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

No information on diet; species is typically observed singly or in pairs, or in small groups of fewer than six individuals, which forage in the middle to upper canopy.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

No information published.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

No information published.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group] and Edolisoma tenuirostre remotum)

Diet basically unknown, but is presumably largely insect-based. Found singly or in pairs in canopy and midstorey of forest, gleaning prey from leaves.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

Very few published data. Forages at woodland edges, either by catching airborne insects on the wing by straight flights from a high perch, or by taking berries, other vegetable matter and insects as they hop among small twigs. May forage in small (presumed family) groups.

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

Apparently no published information, but diet and foraging ecology both presumably similar to those of other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group.

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

Apparently no published information, but diet and foraging ecology both presumably similar to those of other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group.

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

In Australia and S New Guinea has staccato buzzing “kree”, repeated 8–35 or more times, reminiscent of sound made by cicada (Cicadidae); loud ringing “cree cree” in NE Queensland (melvillense). Song in Indonesia (probably mainly referring to E. tenuirostre grayi and E. tenuirostre obiense) described as a level-pitched, mechanical and also cicada-like “trzzzzz”, which slightly increases in volume and lasts c. 0·8 seconds. Other calls (not necessarily by all subspecies) include soft, explosive “twik” or soft, squeaky and disyllabic “chew-chew” (subspecies timoriense), and rapid, slightly rolling “chuit” as contact.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

Poorly known, but apparently distinctive vis-à-vis most other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group. Nominate subspecies is obviously rather similar vocally to E. tenuirostre grayi, with vocalizations including a burry drawn-out rattle on an even pitch lasting c. 0·9 seconds (lacking a clear introductory note), and a short sharply rising fairly mellow “wit” (virtually identical to E. tenuirostre grayi) which is sometimes given in a rapid series and sounding harsher. In subspecies pelengi, the presumed song is a repeated, double downslurred note, the second slightly lower-pitched, and sounding quite strident, e.g. “chee-che...chee-che...” (although this is based on a single recording).

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

Until recently, no differences known between this species and most Moluccan subspecies of E. tenuirostre; i.e. song is a level-pitched, mechanical and also cicada-like “trzzzzz”, which slightly increases in volume, but in fact has distinctive song shared only with E. tenuirostre obiense/pelingi (see Systematics), namely a burry, slightly rising, drawn-out rattle (slightly longer on Morotoi, shorter with introductory note in Halmahera, c. 1·5 seconds vs. c. 1 second), and a short sharply rising fairly mellow “wit”, sometimes given in series (Morotai) and sounding quite like some notes of E. tenuirostre monacha, but distinctly different on sonogram.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

The presumed song (based on a single recording) is a repeated overslurred whistle, lasting c. 0·6 seconds and sounding quite burry, especially towards the end.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Nothing published and no recordings of this species are apparently available.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group] and Edolisoma tenuirostre remotum)

Varies geographically, between subspecies: song is a loud, ringing series of 10–70 downslurred, virtually disyllabic “kweee-kweee-…” notes, which often slow at the end of the series, but is faster than the otherwise similar song of Steel-blue Flycatcher (Myiagra ferrocyanea); also gives a faster, higher-pitched and slightly accelerating “kweer, kweer, kweer-kweer…”, as well as harsh, upslurred “schree-er?” or “tchu-wit?”, which is occasionally repeated and is slower than another similar vocalization of Myiagra ferrocyanea, and a harsh rattling chatter.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

The only well-documented vocalization is a quiet and thus easily overlooked, upslurred whistle  , which is variable, being sometimes louder and repeated in song-like fashion; also reported is a downslurred note with a twanging quality, given while birds chase each other (although it is unknown whether such chases are agonistic or in courtship). No further information, but there is no evidence that this species produces the cicada-like vocalization common to most populations in Indonesia, New Guinea and Melanesia.

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

Vocalizations includes a quiet, upslurred whistle (like E. tenuirostre monacha), often given in pairs of notes, and quiet, somewhat complaining phrases of 3–4 notes repeated rapidly (based on a single available recording).

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

Mainly utters nasal cat-like, overslurred whistles, given either leisurely more or less drawn-out, or in fast and loud chattering series, also occasionally, a rolling rising “preeer” or “prueeur” and a subdued, short “chip-chip-breer”.

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

Breeds Sept–Mar/Apr in Australia; nest at unknown stage on Timor in early Dec (timoriense). Nest built by both sexes, a very small, shallow bowl of small twigs, dry grass, bark, casuarina (Casuarina) needles, lichens and stems, bound with cobwebs and camouflaged on outside with lichen and moss, placed 10–25 m up on fork of horizontal tree branch. Eggs one; incubation by female alone, period 22 days; chick brooded by female, fed by both parents, fledging period 27 days.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

Nothing known.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

Nothing known.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

Nothing known.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Nothing known.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group] and Edolisoma tenuirostre remotum)

Nothing known.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

Virtually nothing known, although family groups have been reported in Nov.

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

No information.

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

Nothing known.

Common Cicadabird (Slender-billed) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [tenuirostre Group])

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon to fairly common. Generally local and uncommon in Australia, and now only a vagrant at S limit of range (Melbourne area), while species is very rare in Western Australia, where known solely from the Kimberley region, and at least some past records from this area are erroneous; recorded densities of 0·08–0·5 birds/ha in Australia. Uncommon over much of New Guinea, and rare in higher parts of its altitudinal range, but fairly common in S Trans-Fly region and on some islands. Generally uncommon in Wallacea, with very few records from most of the Lesser Sundas (subspecies timoriense); in S Sulawesi known from just one specimen, collected near Maros in 1931. As this species prefers mature forest or older regrowth, it is sensitive to logging in some forest types.

Common Cicadabird (Obi) (Edolisoma tenuirostre obiense/pelingi)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Subspecies pelengi is confined to the Banggai and Sula Islands EBA, while the nominate subspecies is restricted to two islands in the Northern Maluku EBA. Population believed to be stable, within comparatively small range (estimated to be 33,200 km²) compared to several other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group. Generally uncommon, but moderately common on Halmahera.

Common Cicadabird (Moluccan) (Edolisoma tenuirostre grayi)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Population believed to be stable, within comparatively small range (estimated to be 56,900 km²) compared to several other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group. Generally uncommon, but moderately common on Halmahera.

Common Cicadabird (Geelvink) (Edolisoma tenuirostre meyerii/numforanum)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to the Geelvink Islands EBA. Population believed to be stable, within comparatively small range (estimated to be just 11,100 km²) compared to several other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group. Generally uncommon.

Common Cicadabird (Rossel) (Edolisoma tenuirostre rostratum)

Not globally threatened. Currently treated as Data Deficient. Restricted-range species: confined to the Louisiade archipelago EBA, where it is known only from type series collected in 1898 and single sight record in 2014. Population believed to be stable, within tiny range (just 390 km²) compared to several other members of the E. tenuirostre species-group, but there is no information on its likely distribution extent, population size, trends or threats. However, Rossel I retains significant forest cover with only small-scale clearance even in lowland areas and less than 5% forest loss over the period 2000–2014.

Common Cicadabird (Melanesian) (Edolisoma tenuirostre [erythropygium Group] and Edolisoma tenuirostre remotum)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Population is currently considered to be stable and species has a comparatively large range (estimated at 659,000 km²). Uncommon to fairly common but widespread in Solomon Is. Fairly common elsewhere, although considered uncommon in the lowlands and foothills of New Britain, but even here it is reasonably numerous at higher elevations.

Common Cicadabird (Palau) (Edolisoma tenuirostre monacha)

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Restricted-range species: confined to Palau EBA. Was considered uncommon on all islands within species’ range in the 1940s and 1970s. Population is currently believed to be stable based on the fact that a survey produced an estimate in 1991 of 12,642 individuals, broadly equivalent to 8300 mature individuals, and the relative abundance of the species was similar in 2005, so the species is not believed to be currently at risk of extinction, despite its very small range (1500 km²).

Common Cicadabird (Yap) (Edolisoma tenuirostre nesiotis)

ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: confined to the Yap Islands EBA. Population is tiny, albeit apparently stable, and it appears to have always been considered rare or uncommon; in the 1980s numbers were estimated at just 273 birds, which is roughly equivalent to 180 mature individuals. Found widely across the island, densities are four times greater in forest compared to savanna. Still possible to locate the species during short visits to the island, but there is no more recent population estimate or trend assessment. Loss of habitat from fire is a threat as local people set fire to large areas of savanna during the dry season. Also at risk from the accidental introduction of alien species, particularly brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), which has caused the extinction of many bird species on Guam.

Common Cicadabird (Pohnpei) (Edolisoma tenuirostre insperatum)

ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: confined to the East Caroline Islands EBA. Population estimated to number 1000–2500 individuals, or 600–1700 mature individuals, and is apparently declining; the global population size was estimated at 2060 individuals in 1983, but since then much native forest has been lost from the island, a repeat survey in 1994 recorded substantially fewer birds and surveys in 2012 only recorded the species eight times at 247 widely distributed stations, as well as generally reporting decreases in forest-associated species. Overall, undisturbed upland forest on Pohnpei was reduced by more than 60% between 1975 and 1995 and the majority of the island’s forests have been, to various degrees, converted or at least degraded to mixed forest (native species mixed with lowland secondary species), largely attributable to the cultivation of kava (Piper methysticum) as a major cash-crop. Fragmentation by kava clearings also introduces and encourages the spread of invasive species throughout the forest. Although efforts over recent decades to reduce the amount of clear-cutting have resulted in the slowing of native forest conversion rates, the trend remains negative.