Rufous-vented Yuhina

SCI Name:  Yuhina occipitalis
Protonym:  Yuhina Occipitales As.Res. 19 p.166
Taxonomy:  Passeriformes / Zosteropidae / Yuhina
Taxonomy Code:  ruvyuh1
Type Locality:  Nepal.
Author:  Hodgson
Publish Year:  1836
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

YUHINA
(Zosteropidae; Ϯ Stripe-throated Yuhina Y. gularis) Nepalese name Yuhin for the Stripe-throated Yuhina; "SYLVIADÆ.  Genus new, YUHINA, nobis;  Yuhin of the Nipalese.  ...  It is the opinion of Mr. VIGORS that these singular little birds serve to connect the Silviadæ with the Certhiadæ. In the structure of the bill and tongue, and even of the feet and wings, they remind me of the genus Sibia (nobis) and of others of the Philedonian Thrushes of CUVIER — a group the contents of which have been referred at random to the Tenuirostral Meliphagidæ, and (in part at least) to the long-legged division of the Thrushes.  ...  These little birds, so far as I have yet ascertained, adhere exclusively to the great forests: prefer the lower and more umbrageous to the higher and barer trees; and seem to procure no portion of their food from the ground though their feet are sufficiently adapted for walking. They are usually found in small flocks; and have a monotonous feeble monosyllabic note.  ...  Three species are known to me, in all of which the sexes resemble each other. I now proceed to a summary description of them, premising that the first two are typical — the last, much less so.   Species 1st. YUHINA GULARIS; Spotted Throated Yuhin, nobis.  ...   Species 2d. YUHINA OCCIPITALES; Rusty-naped Yuhin, nobis.  ...   Species 3d. YUHINA? FLAVICOLLIS; Yellow-necked Yuhin, nobis." (Hodgson 1836) (see Polyodon ●); “Names of harsh and inelegant pronunciation.— These words are grating to the ear, either from inelegance of form, as Huhua, Yuhina, Craxirex  ...  or from too great length  ...  It is needless to enlarge on the advantage of consulting euphony in the construction of our language” (Strickland Code 1842).
Var. Iuhina, Juhina.
Synon. Ixulus, Odonterus, Parayuhina, Polyodon, Staphida.

occipitalis
Late L. occipitalis  of the back of the head, occipital  < L. occipitium  occiput  < ob  towards, over; caput, capitis  head.
● ex “Azur à Calotte et à Collier Noir” of Levaillant 1805 (syn. Hypothymis azurea).
● ex “Huppard” of Levaillant 1796, pl. 2  < French huppe  crest; Busard  hawk (Lophaetus).

SUBSPECIES

Rufous-vented Yuhina (occipitalis)
SCI Name: Yuhina occipitalis occipitalis
occipitalis
Late L. occipitalis  of the back of the head, occipital  < L. occipitium  occiput  < ob  towards, over; caput, capitis  head.
● ex “Azur à Calotte et à Collier Noir” of Levaillant 1805 (syn. Hypothymis azurea).
● ex “Huppard” of Levaillant 1796, pl. 2  < French huppe  crest; Busard  hawk (Lophaetus).

Rufous-vented Yuhina (obscurior)
SCI Name: Yuhina occipitalis obscurior
obscurior / obscuriora
L. obscurior, obscurioris  darker  < comp. obscurus  dark, obscure.