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1 March 2017 Morphological differences between Nearctic and eastern Palearctic Gray-headed Chickadees (Poecile cinctus)
Lucas H. DeCicco, Dave Shutler, Stephen W. Mockford
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Abstract

The geographic distribution of the non-migratory Gray-headed Chickadee (Poecile cinctus) straddles the continents of North America and Eurasia. Morphological variation in this species has been poorly studied, particularly regarding differences between Nearctic and adjacent Palearctic populations (subspecies lathami and cinctus, respectively). To evaluate geographic patterns of morphological variation between lathami and cinctus, we measured 24 variables related to coloration and structure on 24 museum specimens. We found statistically significant average differences between specimens of lathami and cinctus in three plumage areas and three measures of bill size. Genetic analysis is needed to further quantify divergence in lathami.

Lucas H. DeCicco, Dave Shutler, and Stephen W. Mockford "Morphological differences between Nearctic and eastern Palearctic Gray-headed Chickadees (Poecile cinctus)," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129(1), 171-175, (1 March 2017). https://doi.org/10.1676/1559-4491-129.1.171
Received: 17 December 2015; Accepted: 1 March 2016; Published: 1 March 2017
KEYWORDS
Beringia
Gray-headed Chickadee
morphological variation
plumage variation
Poecile cinctus cinctus
Poecile cinctus lathami
Siberian Tit
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