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Hemipus picatus

An example of subspecies in the Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike.

A group sharing common characteristics that distinguish them from other members of the species[1]. Where the differences are significant and the populations biologically isolated, these forms are classified as separate subspecies, or races. In situations where two individuals belonging to different subspecies meet and form a mixed pair, they are still capable of interbreeding successfully[2].

Sometimes when there is DNA evidence, subspecies may be split into new species[3].

Examples of subspecies splits[]

References[]

  1. ^ Simpson & Day (1999). A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin. ISBN 0-691-04995-5. 
  2. ^ Frances, Peter; et al. (2007). Bird: The Definitive Visual Guide. Dorling Kindersley Inc. ISBN 1564582957. 
  3. ^ Terres, John K. (1980). The Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ISBN 0394466519. 
Anatomy of an amiotic egg This article is part of Project Glossary, an All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each term related to animals.


Hemipus picatus This article is part of Project Taxonomy, an All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each taxonomic term.
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