Talk:Spermestes griseicapilla

Both specific and generic names are confused for this taxon.

For specific, it is clear that caniceps Reichenow, 1879 takes precedence over griseicapilla Delacour, 1943 if it is accepted that these are the same species.

For generic, the studies of Baptista et al (1999) separate it from Lonichura. The genus Spermestes, which they suggested, is not valid because the designated type species, cucullata, has been included in Lonichura. As caniceps is the type species of Odontospiza this appears to be the correct genus.

(Paraphased from Avibase[1])

2023 update from IOC:

• Formerly placed in the monotypic genus Odontospiza, but the species is deeply basal to the clade consisting of other species in Spermestes and is moved to that genus (Payne 2010; Olsson & Alström 2020). Species epithet returns to griseicapilla from caniceps which is permanently invalid (Dickinson & Christidis 2014).

(Added by MPF (talk) 20:54, 15 July 2023 (UTC))