Helmeted Friarbird races in NT

["Russ Lamb" <>]

David & birding-ausers,
                                   Wanting to be absolutely clear about 
what races of  Helmeted Friarbird are believed to occur in the NT under the 
IOC classification.
                          Am I right in thinking that Philemon buceroides 
gordoni ( Matthew's Melville Island friarbird) is the more widespread across 
the coastal Top End, and that P.b. ammitophila (? Sandstone Friarbird?) is 
confined to sandstone escarpments? Are they the only two races in the NT? Am 
I right in believing that the nominate race P. buceroides buceroides does 
not appear on the Australian mainland.
     Would be interested in peoples' views as to the relative abundance of 
these two races in the NT. A thorough search of my records for two visits to 
the Territory shows I've missed Helmeted Friarbird both times (along with 
White-lined H/E, but at least I was actively looking for that and knew I 
didn't have it!!)
          Don't you just hate it when you've missed an airchair tick.

Russ Lamb, Maleny, SEQ