Eastern Canary Islands Chiffchaff

The Lanzarote Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis exsul ) is an extinct subspecies of the Canary Zilpzalps (Phylloscopus canariensis) from the genus of warblers (Phylloscopus ). He was endemic to the north-eastern Canary Island of Lanzarote. Rumors that he also seemed to Fuerteventura were never confirmed.

Features

With 10 cm of Lanzarote Chiffchaff was slightly smaller than the nominate. He also had a somewhat lighter, less brownish olive top and a less reddish, pale yellowish underside more. The under wing-coverts were somewhat paler yellow. The upper mandible was blackish olive- brown, the lower mandible dull or light olive brown. The iris was dark brown, black brown feet.

Vocalizations

The Austrian ornithologist Johann Polatzek (1838-1927), who collected the seven type specimens in December 1903 described the reputation as stretched and rougher than the Canary Chiffchaff. The voice was said to be similar and less bright and penetrating that of the Pipit (Anthus berthelotii ). Too have the " overturning the verse " missing.

Occurrence, habitat and behavior

The distribution area of ​​Lanzarote Zilpzalps was limited to the valley of Haria on Lanzarote. Here he lived in the gorse thickets at higher elevations with fresh vegetation. He was insectivores and went in the undergrowth in search of food. Occasionally he caught his prey in Schwirrflug.

Extinction

The Lanzarote Chiffchaff was never described as common. The exact causes and the exact time of his disappearance are unclear. 1986, a nest was discovered, which was attributed to this subspecies. Probably the Lanzarote Chiffchaff, however, died already from before 1986. Most likely, the conversion of its habitat has played the most important role in its extinction in agricultural areas.

System

The Lanzarote and the Canary Chiffchaff Common Chiffchaff were originally treated as subspecies of Zilpzalps (Phylloscopus collybita ) described. On the basis of vocal differences, the wing morphology and mitochondrial DNA of the Canary Chiffchaff received the 1996 species status and the Lanzarote Chiffchaff was classified as the subspecies.

All warbler species were originally representing the warbler -like ( Sylviidae ). Based on molecular analyzes, however, the new family Phylloscopidae was 2006 for the genera Phylloscopus and Seicercus erected.