Hummingbird White Stripe, name proposed by Chebez.

Amazilia sp. (aff. to Amazilia brevirostris) (aff. to Amazilia leucogaster) (aff. to Amazilia versicolor)

This entry is reserved for the form of Amazilia sp. that presents an immaculate division between the neck and throat down to the abdomen, in records from the province of Misiones, Argentina.

Given the situation of the great diversity of forms within the Amazilia genus, its geographic expansion, new records for Argentina such as A. lactea and its systematics still not thoroughly studied with modern methods, as well as its subspecies, geographic races, or immatures, and to encourage the study of photographic and sound records held on this site, various positions and proposals regarding this form are discussed:

Amazilia brevirostris (Lesson, 1829): Chebez et al. (2008) identified the form as Amazilia brevirostris, after obtaining and compiling numerous records, reviewing skins at the MACN, and conducting an extensive bibliographic review. They also mention that its song is distinguishable from A. versicolor.

Amazilia leucogaster (Gmelin, 1788): Militello (2013, in litt.) due to geographical proximity, suggests the possibility of A. leucogaster and proposes a complete revision of the genus in southern Brazil and Argentina. A. leucogaster is characterized by an immaculate division between the neck and throat down to the abdomen, with a white throat in the center without spots, much narrower in the throat than the northern A. brevirostris, which has a wider white throat (Militello, pers. obs.).

Amazilia versicolor versicolor (Vieillot, 1818): Gorleri (2014, in litt.) suggests A. versicolor versicolor based on comparisons of beak and tail feathers with brevirostris/leucogaster, in addition to the proximity of this race in its distribution, being abundant on the southern coast of Brazil and possibly moving inland, occasionally appearing in the province of Misiones. They also mention that the taxonomy needs revision.

Castillo (2014, in litt.) based on observations made at the Hummingbird Garden over 13 years, refers to the form as a migratory, winter visitor, which arrives in the city of Puerto Iguazú between April and stays until the end of September (this mention coincides with the Species by Month report for Puerto Iguazú, Misiones from EcoRegistros - http://ecoregistros.com.ar/site/lugarmeses.php?id=271&idgrupoclase=1). Additionally, they noted a difference of several millimeters compared to Amazilia versicolor kubtchecki and a different vocalization that has not been recorded so far.

While the status of this form in Argentina is defined, the entry "Amazilia sp. aff. to Amazilia brevirostris" will remain to treat the records of this form particularly and evaluate them independently from A. brevirostris, A. versicolor, A. leucogaster, A. fimbriata until we have a clearer taxonomy.

Authors of this compilation: Eduardo Militello, Fabricio Gorleri, Leandro S. Castillo, and Jorge La Grotteria - 14/05/2014

 See related literature