Phainopepla

SCI Name:  Phainopepla nitens
Protonym:  Ptilogonys nitens Anim.Menag. p.285
Taxonomy:  Passeriformes / Ptiliogonatidae / Phainopepla
Taxonomy Code:  phaino
Type Locality:  Mexico.
Author:  Swainson
Publish Year:  1838
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

PHAINOPEPLA
(Ptiliogonatidae; Ϯ Phainopepla P. nitens) Gr. φαεινος phaeinos  brilliant, shining  < φαινω phainō  to shine; πεπλος peplos  cloak; "CICHLOPSIS NITENS, Bd. 320. — Mr. Sclater writes that the type of Cichlopsis (Turdus leucogonys of Berlin Museum) is very different from Ptilogonys nitens, Sw. He proposes for the latter the generic name of Phainopepla, Sclater." (Baird 1858); "For the Ptilogonys nitens of Swainson, erroneously referred to this genus [Cichlopsis] by Baird, I propose the generic name Phainopepla  φαεινος, nitidus, et πεπλος, vestis." (P. Sclater 1859); "Phainopepla Baird, 1858, in Baird, Cassin and Lawrence, Rep. Expl. and Survey R. R. Pac., 9, p. xix, xxxiv, 923. Type, by original designation, Phainopepla nitens Swainson (credited to Sclater)." (Greenway in Peters 1960, IX, 372). The Phainopepla or Black Silky-flycatcher shows plumage traits very distinct from other members of the family.
Var. Phaenopepla ("I notice that in Coues's 'Key,' Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's 'North-American Birds,' and in other American works lately issued, the generic term "Phainopepla," which I proposed in 1858 for the Ptilogonys nitens of Swainson, is altered into "Phænopepla." I wish to point out that this "emendation" of my spelling is incorrect. The derivation of "Phainopepla," as was given when the name was made (P. Z. S. 1858, p. 453), is φαεινος, nitidus, and πεπλον, vestis. Now φαεινος in Latin becomes "Phainus," not "Phænus," and Phainopepla is orthographically right. "Phainoptila" of Salvin (1877) is derived from the same word. I hope no one will try to emend it." (P. Sclater 1879)).
Synon. Lepturus.

phainopepla / phainopeplus
Gr. φαεινος phaeinos  brilliant, shining  < φαινω phainō  to shine; πεπλος peplos  cloak.

nitens
L. nitens, nitentis  shining, glittering  < nitere  to shine, to glitter.
● ex “Glossy Finch” of Latham 1783 (syn. Hypochera chalybeata).
● ex “Merle vert d’Angola” of Brisson 1760 (Lamprotornis).
● ex “Green Fly-catcher” of Latham 1783 (unident.).

SUBSPECIES

Phainopepla (lepida)
SCI Name: Phainopepla nitens lepida
lepida
L. lepidus  charming, elegant  < lepos, leporis  charm.

Phainopepla (nitens)
SCI Name: Phainopepla nitens nitens
nitens
L. nitens, nitentis  shining, glittering  < nitere  to shine, to glitter.
● ex “Glossy Finch” of Latham 1783 (syn. Hypochera chalybeata).
● ex “Merle vert d’Angola” of Brisson 1760 (Lamprotornis).
● ex “Green Fly-catcher” of Latham 1783 (unident.).