Clarifying the distributions of Abyssinian Crimsonwing Cryptospiza salvadorii and Red-faced Crimsonwing C. reichenovii in Tanzania

Abstract

Abyssinian Crimsonwing Cryptospiza salvadorii and Red-faced Crimsonwing C. reichenovii both occur in Tanzania but their distribution on Mt. Meru and in the Crater Highlands is poorly understood. Similarly, the southernmost record of C. salvadorii in Tanzania, in the Uluguru Mountains, is ambiguous. We conducted an in-depth literature review and detailed specimen evaluation of these two taxa and here clarify their ranges in northern Tanzania. We failed to find definitive evidence for the presence of C. salvadorii in the Uluguru Mountains.