Tanagers (Thraupidae)

Golden-rumped Euphonia (Euphonia cyanocephala) - HBW 16, p. 282

French: Organiste doré German: Goldbürzelorganist Spanish: Eufonia Culidorada

Taxonomy: Pipra cyanocephala Vieillot, 1819, Trinidad.
Species sometimes referred to by name E. aureata, but present name has priority. Recent molecular-genetic analysis indicates that genus belongs in family Fringillidae. Present species forms a monophyletic species group with E. elegantissima and E. musica, and all formerly considered conspecific; widely separated geographically, the three do not differ greatly in voice or behaviour, although males differ somewhat in plumage, females less so. Taxonomic status of population of present species in SE Brazil, Paraguay and NE Argentina seems worthy of investigation because of its.. View all taxonomy...

Taxonomy: Pipra cyanocephala Vieillot, 1819, Trinidad.
Species sometimes referred to by name E. aureata, but present name has priority. Recent molecular-genetic analysis indicates that genus belongs in family Fringillidae. Present species forms a monophyletic species group with E. elegantissima and E. musica, and all formerly considered conspecific; widely separated geographically, the three do not differ greatly in voice or behaviour, although males differ somewhat in plumage, females less so. Taxonomic status of population of present species in SE Brazil, Paraguay and NE Argentina seems worthy of investigation because of its extreme isolation. On the other hand, proposed race intermedia (described from NE Colombia) is difficult to diagnose; measurements overlap with those of nominate, and no certain colour differences separate it from latter, into which it is therefore subsumed. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • pelzelni P. L. Sclater, 1886 - S Colombia and W Ecuador (S to Chimborazo).
  • insignis P. L. Sclater & Salvin, 1877 - E slope of Andes in Ecuador (Azuay and Loja).
  • cyanocephala (Vieillot, 1819) - Sierra de Perijá (Colombia–Venezuela border) and Venezuela (Andes, coastal cordilleras, and locally SE Bolívar) E locally through C Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana; Trinidad; and Andes of Colombia (except S), probably E slope in Ecuador, entire E slope in Peru S to Bolivia (also extreme E Santa Cruz) and NW Argentina (S to Tucumán; sight records to Córdoba–San Luís border; isolated record N of Buenos Aires); also NC & SC Brazil (isolated records in Pará and W Mato Grosso); also SE Brazil (Bahia, S Goiás and S Mato Grosso S to Rio Grande do Sul), SE Paraguay and NE Argentina (W to E Chaco).