The systematic affinities of the genus have been a long-standing mystery. The group was originally assigned to the shrikes (Laniidae). In the 1920s James Chapin noted the similarities between the nicators and both the bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) and the bushshrikes (Malaconotidae). It wasn't until 1943 that Jean Théodore Delacour placed the genus with the bulbuls. Storrs Olson argued that the genus was more closely related to the bushshrikes, as the nicators lacked the ossification of the nostril found in all other bulbuls.[2] A number of features, including the position of the facial bristles (which are preorbital rather than rictal), their nests and the calls, make the genus unique, and DNA studies have recently suggested that the genus is best treated as a monogeneric family.[3] Some authorities, like the Clements Checklist, treat the nicators as a new family, Nicatoridae.[4]
The name of the genus is derived from nikator, Greek for conqueror.[5] Within the genus, the western and eastern nicators are considered to form a superspecies and are sometimes treated as the same species.[1]
Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Uganda.
Description
The nicators are shrike-like birds, 16 to 23 cm (6.3–9.1 in) in length. The eastern and western nicators are similar in size and larger than the yellow-throated nicator. The males are considerably heavier than the females, for example in the western nicator the males range from 48 to 67 g (1.7–2.4 oz), whereas the females only weigh 32 to 51 g (1.1–1.8 oz). The yellow-throated nicator is much lighter, ranging from only 21 to 26 g (0.74–0.92 oz). The nicators have heavy hooked bills. The plumage of the genus is overall olive on the backs, tail and wings, with yellow spotting on the wings, and lighter grey or whitish undersides.[1]
The nicators are endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. The western nicator has a mostly continuous distribution from Senegal to eastern Uganda and northern Angola. The eastern nicator has a discontinuous distribution in East Africa from Somalia south to eastern South Africa. The yellow-throated nicator is distributed in central Africa from Cameroon to Uganda.[1]
The nicators occupy a wide range of forest and woodland habitats.[1]
References
^ abcdeFishpool, Lincoln; Tobias, Joseph (2005). "Family Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)". In del Hoyo, Josep; Elliott, Andrew; Christie, David (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 10, Cuckoo-shrikes to Thrushes. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 247–248. ISBN84-87334-72-5.
^Olson, Storrs (1989). "Preliminary systematic notes on some Old World Passerines". Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia. 59 (3/4): 183–195.
^Beresford, P; Barker, FK; Ryan, PG; Crowe, TM (2005). "African endemics span the tree of songbirds (Passeri): molecular systematics of several evolutionary 'enigmas'". Proc. R. Soc. B. 272 (1565): 849–858. doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2997. PMC1599865. PMID 15888418.
^Clements Checklist team (2009). "Updates & Corrections - Dec 2009". The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
^Jobling, James A. (1991). A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Oxford University Press. p. 160. ISBN0-19-854634-3.
March 03, 2023
nicator, other, uses, disambiguation, nicators, genus, family, idae, songbirds, endemic, africa, genus, family, contain, three, species, gularis, left, chloris, right, scientific, classificationkingdom, animaliaphylum, chordataclass, avesorder, passeriformesfa. For other uses see Nicator disambiguation The nicators are a genus Nicator and family Nicatoridae of songbirds endemic to Africa The genus and family contain three species 1 NicatorN gularis left and N chloris right Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily NicatoridaeGenus NicatorHartlaub amp Finsch 1870Range of the genus Contents 1 Taxonomy 1 1 Species 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 ReferencesTaxonomy EditThe systematic affinities of the genus have been a long standing mystery The group was originally assigned to the shrikes Laniidae In the 1920s James Chapin noted the similarities between the nicators and both the bulbuls Pycnonotidae and the bushshrikes Malaconotidae It wasn t until 1943 that Jean Theodore Delacour placed the genus with the bulbuls Storrs Olson argued that the genus was more closely related to the bushshrikes as the nicators lacked the ossification of the nostril found in all other bulbuls 2 A number of features including the position of the facial bristles which are preorbital rather than rictal their nests and the calls make the genus unique and DNA studies have recently suggested that the genus is best treated as a monogeneric family 3 Some authorities like the Clements Checklist treat the nicators as a new family Nicatoridae 4 The name of the genus is derived from nikator Greek for conqueror 5 Within the genus the western and eastern nicators are considered to form a superspecies and are sometimes treated as the same species 1 Species Edit Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution Nicator chloris Western nicator Angola Benin Cameroon Central African Republic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Ivory Coast Equatorial Guinea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea Bissau Liberia Mali Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone South Sudan Tanzania Togo and Uganda Nicator gularis Eastern nicator Kenya Malawi Mozambique Somalia South Africa Swaziland Tanzania Zambia and Zimbabwe Nicator vireo Yellow throated nicator Angola Cameroon Central African Republic Republic of the Congo DRC Equatorial Guinea Gabon and Uganda Description EditThe nicators are shrike like birds 16 to 23 cm 6 3 9 1 in in length The eastern and western nicators are similar in size and larger than the yellow throated nicator The males are considerably heavier than the females for example in the western nicator the males range from 48 to 67 g 1 7 2 4 oz whereas the females only weigh 32 to 51 g 1 1 1 8 oz The yellow throated nicator is much lighter ranging from only 21 to 26 g 0 74 0 92 oz The nicators have heavy hooked bills The plumage of the genus is overall olive on the backs tail and wings with yellow spotting on the wings and lighter grey or whitish undersides 1 Distribution and habitat Edit Yellow throated nicator of the tropical lowlands The nicators are endemic to Sub Saharan Africa The western nicator has a mostly continuous distribution from Senegal to eastern Uganda and northern Angola The eastern nicator has a discontinuous distribution in East Africa from Somalia south to eastern South Africa The yellow throated nicator is distributed in central Africa from Cameroon to Uganda 1 The nicators occupy a wide range of forest and woodland habitats 1 References Edit a b c d e Fishpool Lincoln Tobias Joseph 2005 Family Pycnonotidae Bulbuls In del Hoyo Josep Elliott Andrew Christie David eds Handbook of the Birds of the World Volume 10 Cuckoo shrikes to Thrushes Barcelona Lynx Edicions pp 247 248 ISBN 84 87334 72 5 Olson Storrs 1989 Preliminary systematic notes on some Old World Passerines Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia 59 3 4 183 195 Beresford P Barker FK Ryan PG Crowe TM 2005 African endemics span the tree of songbirds Passeri molecular systematics of several evolutionary enigmas Proc R Soc B 272 1565 849 858 doi 10 1098 rspb 2004 2997 PMC 1599865 PMID 15888418 Clements Checklist team 2009 Updates amp Corrections Dec 2009 The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World Retrieved 16 January 2010 Jobling James A 1991 A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names Oxford University Press p 160 ISBN 0 19 854634 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nicator amp oldid 1008855127, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
