Black-and-white Mannikin

SCI Name:  Spermestes bicolor
Protonym:  Amadina bicolor Proc.Zool.Soc.London(1842) (1842), Pt10 no.117 p.145
Taxonomy:  Passeriformes / Estrildidae / Spermestes
Taxonomy Code:  bawman1
Type Locality:  Cape Palmas, Liberia.
Author:  Fraser
Publish Year:  1843
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

SPERMESTES
(Estrildidae; Ϯ Bronze Mannikin S. cucullata) Gr. σπερμα sperma,  σπερματος spermatos  seed  < σπειρω speirō  to scatter; -εστης -estēs 
-eater  < εδω edō  to eat; "BRONZE-HOODED BENGALY.  Spermestes cucullata, SWAINS.  ...  On comparing the structure of this bird with the last [Vidua chalybeata], we find that the base of the under mandible is thicker than that of the upper, and that the hind-toe is as long as the tarsus. We have been told that most of these little Bengalies feed upon the hard seeds of the African millet, and some other of the tall grasses, or rather reeds, so common in the swamps of that country; this fact is in unison with the hardness of their bill, while the structure of their large slender feet and claws is precisely that most adapted to secure a hold or footing on smooth and upright stems." (Swainson 1837 (Nat. Hist. Birds Western Africa, I, 201)); "Spermestes, Sw.  Bill short, thick. Feet very large. Toes and claws long and slender. Tail short, even.  Chiefly India.  S. cucullata.  West. Af. i. 201" (Swainson 1837 (Nat. Hist. Classif. Birds, II, 280)); "Spermestes Swainson, 1837, Birds W. Africa, 1, p. 201. Type, by monotypy, Spermestes cucullata Swainson." (Traylor in Peters 1968, XIV, 369).
Var. Spernistes, Spernistis.
Synon. Amauresthes, Pseudospermestes, Stictospermestes.

bicolor
L. bicolor, bicoloris  bicoloured  < bi-  two-  < bis  twice; color, coloris  colour; epithet usually given to spp. with white underparts and contrastingly darker upperparts.
● ex “Crested Titmouse” of Catesby 1731, and “Mésange hupée de la Caroline” of Brisson 1760 (Baeolophus).
● ex “Coucal Noirou” of Levaillant 1807, pl. 220 (syn. Centropus nigrorufus).
● ex “Colibri Nr. 2” of Fermin 1769, “Saphir-émeraude” of de Buffon 1770-1783, and “Sapphire-and-Emerald Humming-bird” of Latham 1782 (Cyanophaia).
● ex “Pic varié de la Encénade” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 748, fig.1, and “Encenada Woodpecker” of Latham 1782 (syn. Dendrocopos lignarius).
● ex “Pato roxo y negro” of de Azara 1802-1805, no. 436 (Dendrocygna).
● ex “Ramier blanc mangeur de muscade de la Nouvelle Guinée” of Sonnerat 1776 (Ducula).
● ex “Gobe-mouche à ventre blanc de Cayenne” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 566, fig. 3, and de Buffon 1770-1786, and “Black and white Fly-catcher” of Edwards 1758, and Latham 1783 (syn. Fluvicola pica).
● ex "Merle brun du Cap de Bonne Espérance" of de Buffon 1770-1783, and "White-rumped Thrush" of Latham 1783 (Lamprotornis).
● ex "Bahama Sparrow" of Catesby 1731 (Melanospiza).
● ex “Petit Guêpier du Sénégal” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 318 (?syn. Merops hirundineus).
● ex “Guêpier de l’isle de France” of d’Aubenton 1765-1781, pl. 252 (syn. Merops viridis).
● ex “Schet Noir” of Levaillant 1805, pl. 148 (syn. Terpsiphone mutata).

SUBSPECIES

Black-and-white Mannikin (Black-and-white)
SCI Name: Spermestes bicolor bicolor/poensis
SPERMESTES
(Estrildidae; Ϯ Bronze Mannikin S. cucullata) Gr. σπερμα sperma,  σπερματος spermatos  seed  < σπειρω speirō  to scatter; -εστης -estēs 
-eater  < εδω edō  to eat; "BRONZE-HOODED BENGALY.  Spermestes cucullata, SWAINS.  ...  On comparing the structure of this bird with the last [Vidua chalybeata], we find that the base of the under mandible is thicker than that of the upper, and that the hind-toe is as long as the tarsus. We have been told that most of these little Bengalies feed upon the hard seeds of the African millet, and some other of the tall grasses, or rather reeds, so common in the swamps of that country; this fact is in unison with the hardness of their bill, while the structure of their large slender feet and claws is precisely that most adapted to secure a hold or footing on smooth and upright stems." (Swainson 1837 (Nat. Hist. Birds Western Africa, I, 201)); "Spermestes, Sw.  Bill short, thick. Feet very large. Toes and claws long and slender. Tail short, even.  Chiefly India.  S. cucullata.  West. Af. i. 201" (Swainson 1837 (Nat. Hist. Classif. Birds, II, 280)); "Spermestes Swainson, 1837, Birds W. Africa, 1, p. 201. Type, by monotypy, Spermestes cucullata Swainson." (Traylor in Peters 1968, XIV, 369).
Var. Spernistes, Spernistis.
Synon. Amauresthes, Pseudospermestes, Stictospermestes.

Black-and-white Mannikin (Red-backed)
SCI Name: Spermestes bicolor nigriceps/woltersi
SPERMESTES
(Estrildidae; Ϯ Bronze Mannikin S. cucullata) Gr. σπερμα sperma,  σπερματος spermatos  seed  < σπειρω speirō  to scatter; -εστης -estēs 
-eater  < εδω edō  to eat; "BRONZE-HOODED BENGALY.  Spermestes cucullata, SWAINS.  ...  On comparing the structure of this bird with the last [Vidua chalybeata], we find that the base of the under mandible is thicker than that of the upper, and that the hind-toe is as long as the tarsus. We have been told that most of these little Bengalies feed upon the hard seeds of the African millet, and some other of the tall grasses, or rather reeds, so common in the swamps of that country; this fact is in unison with the hardness of their bill, while the structure of their large slender feet and claws is precisely that most adapted to secure a hold or footing on smooth and upright stems." (Swainson 1837 (Nat. Hist. Birds Western Africa, I, 201)); "Spermestes, Sw.  Bill short, thick. Feet very large. Toes and claws long and slender. Tail short, even.  Chiefly India.  S. cucullata.  West. Af. i. 201" (Swainson 1837 (Nat. Hist. Classif. Birds, II, 280)); "Spermestes Swainson, 1837, Birds W. Africa, 1, p. 201. Type, by monotypy, Spermestes cucullata Swainson." (Traylor in Peters 1968, XIV, 369).
Var. Spernistes, Spernistis.
Synon. Amauresthes, Pseudospermestes, Stictospermestes.