Specific status of taxa within the Greenish Warbler complex

The taxonomic status of six subspecies of Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides was re-examined in the light of fresh evidence about their identification characters and biological relationships. Although P. t. viridanus and P. t. plumbeitarsus ('Two-barred Greenish Warbler') behave as distinct species in their zone of overlap, the five subspecies viridanus, ludlowi, trochiloides, obscuratus and plumbeitarsus form a cline within which it is not possible to define species boundaries. There is currently insufficient evidence to recognise 'Two-barred Greenish Warbler' or the allopatric taxon P. t. nitidus ('Green Warbler') as separate species. Consequently, no changes to their classification are recommended.