Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps) - HBW 5, p. 655

French: Métallure à tête rousse German: Kastanienkappen-Glanzschwänzchen Spanish: Colibrí Capirrufo
Other common names: (Rufous-capped) Metaltail

Taxonomy: Trochilus (——?) ruficeps Gould, 1846, Bolivia.
Previously placed in genus Metallura; alternatively separated in monotypic genus Selatopogon. Birds of Ecuador have been separated as race aureofastigatum, but this variation has now been demonstrated to form ends of a clinal character progression involving coloration of ornamental throat feathers. Monotypic.

Distribution: E Andes of SE Ecuador through Peru to WC Bolivia (Yungas of Cochabamba). Single record from Pan Azucar in C Andes of Colombia, where status uncertain.