Subspecies and Location
The Chestnut-breasted Mannikin has a total of six subspecies and seven forms. The subspecies are as followed:
- L. c. castaneothorax (Nominate race) occurs in eastern Australia.
- L. c. assimilis occurs in northern Australia. Identification: Richer breast and cream ground color to belly and flanks.
- L. c. ramsayi occurs in southeastern Papua New Guinea. Identification: Distinctive black head with faint scalloping. Female is more noticeable than the male.
- L. c. boschmai occurs in Lake Wissel area in Irian Jaya. Identification: Brown scallops on the flanks and paler to straw on the upper tail-coverts.
- L. c. sharpii occurs in Hollandia, Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea. Identification: Pale grey on the head, and dull upper tail-coverts.
- L. c. uropygialis occurs in Geelvink Bay in western Irian Jaya. Identification: Grey on the head not so pale, and note orange on the long upper tail-coverts.
L. castaneothora occurs in Tahiti. Apparently, it is descended from L. c. castaneothorax. They are distinguished today by having paler underparts and by the scalloping of the nape extended onto the mantle.
Read more about this topic: Chestnut-breasted Munia